Advocates question proposal to repurpose Clay High School building

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Advocates trying to save Clay High School from closing are questioning a new proposal to repurpose the building.

A resolution on last night's school board agenda to allow a new use for the property has been tabled until further notice.

South Bend Schools has not said what the new use could be.

But if the school corporation is able to find new life for Clay, it would prevent a private school from buying the property for just one dollar.

In December, the Career Academy Network said it would be interested in keeping Clay open as a charter school, which the advocacy group Save Clay has vocally supported.

"We deserve, we are entitled, as well as the entire South Bend community, to have a high school in that area that has a history that goes beyond," says Robert Smith, the president of Save Clay.

The president of Save Clay believes the proposal to repurpose the building is aimed at keeping a private school from taking it over and preventing more competition for students in St. Joseph County.

"And if you're afraid of competition, you should have done better from the beginning. Don't be afraid of the competition. Raise the bar to meet the competition," he added.

There are also questions about money.

Along with declining enrollment, one of the reasons South Bend Schools gave for closing Clay is the cost to renovate the building.

It's not clear if an alternate use would require renovation or how much that would cost.