The Clarksdale Municipal School District had been looking to get rid of two properties for several months, but the next steps depended on whether or not Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School was interested in those facilities.
Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School (CCPCS) is interested in acquiring the old Myrtle Hall IV elementary school building on Fifth Street and the old Clarksdale High School on School Street. CCPCS legally has first right of refusal.
“We’re interested,” said CCPCS executive director Amanda Johnson. “I have an open communication with the superintendent.”
Johnson said she toured both buildings with the architect and contractor.
“We are anticipating getting numbers from them soon in the next couple of weeks,” Johnson said.
Johnson said, once she knows what it will take to make the buildings operational, CCPCS will make the CMSD an offer.
There have been others with ideas and interest in both the old high school and Myrtle Hall, but they have either lost interest or not been able to swing the deal. Myrtle Hall has been broached as a possible homeless shelter for veterans and the high school as an artist’s collective and even an apartment complex.
The Charter School purchased the old St Paul's United Methodist Church at 1012 West Second Street. Two new buildings on the same property are being constructed for next year.
However, once the buildings are completed, the school will only have room for 525 students. When the school is at full capacity with kindergarteners through eighth graders in 2024-25, Johnson said 675 students will be enrolled.
Johnson said the old Myrtle Hall IV elementary school building and old Clarksdale High School will be used for seventh and eighth graders and office space.
“If we’re going to purchase those two buildings, I would not see us needing more (buildings) than that,” Johnson said.
The CMSD board discussed the facilities at last Thursday’s meeting.
“A few weeks ago, we toured the facilities,” said CMSD superintendent Dr. Earl Joe Nelson. “Executive director Johnson had her team there and I was verbally told that they were interested in both facilities.” Nelson said he told Johnson she could submit something in writing and did not have to be at the CMSD board meeting.
“Since I wasn’t here when this came about, I would like to understand what’s the situation here?” said CMSD board member LaFiesta Roland.
Nelson said businesses and organizations were interested in the properties.
“We’ve had them bid it before my time and after I’ve gotten here and people have done bids,” Nelson said. “By law, the charter school has, I would say, first right of refusal. We’re just trying to get them to say if they want the building or not so we can move forward. That’s all we’re trying to do. We’ve been kicking this can down the road for a little while. We just want to put it to rest because we still are insuring the buildings. We still are keeping the grounds up for the buildings. It’s quite expensive.”
Board member Sandy Stillions said the CMSD has to keep the grounds up and insure the buildings because it still owns the property.
CMSD board attorney Carlos Palmer said on Oct. 20, 2020, he had his initial conversation with Johnson dealing with Myrtle Hall IV. She indicated CCPCS was interested in acquiring the building.
Palmer said he followed up with Johnson in January to discuss the steps for the Myrtle Hall IV building, but no arrangements had been made.
“Since that October date, the board had indicated an interest of disposing old Clarksdale High School,” Palmer said.
“There were some other interested parties that wanted to pursue the old Clarksdale facility. So we were trying to put that to bed whether or not the charter school was interested or not so we could move forward.”
Palmer said Johnson continued to express interest in both facilities and tours needed to be scheduled by April 22. Johnson has toured both facilities.
Board president Delores Harris said the CMSD was attempting to get rid of the old Myrtle Hall IV elementary school building when Dennis Dupree was superintendent.
“When Mr. Dupree was here, I was on the board when that came up and she was not interested in Myrtle Hall,” Harris said. “So she has a renewed interested in the building now.”
Following a recommendation from Palmer, the board declared an emergency and authorized Nelson to have both buildings appraised.
