CLAYTON, Mo. – The Clayton School Board is under fire from residents speaking out at a public forum against the district’s potential purchase of the ‘Calres Shoe Company’s’ headquarters in Clayton.
The Calres headquarters on Maryland, not far from Clayton High School, is what the Clayton School District wants for nearly $21 million. However, many residents don’t want to see that happen.
Some 300 people showed up at the meeting, and many of them were critical of the potential purchase. It’s understood that the school district is under contract to buy the 9.6 acre property for $20.9 million but has until next Monday to back out.
In a two and a half-hour meeting, residents spoke out against the potential expense of the project, including the impact on taxes, as well as what some call a lack of transparency surrounding the deal. The Clayton School Board president, Amy Rubin, says the board is trying to focus on the future needs of Clayton students and the property here can help fulfill those needs by giving the district more room to expand.
Here is some of what one local critic of the plan said, along with the message from board president Rubin:
“We need to keep every piece of commercial property in Clayton commercial to keep the city budget intact,” the critic said. “The school district, where is the master plan for why you need this property?”
“It is routine that public bodies negotiate real estate transactions in closed session,” President Rubin explained. “We were further advised that our vision could be accomplished without an increase to property taxes. So of course we all like that.”
The due diligence period ends this coming Monday, so nothing is finalized yet. Board members say they will take into consideration what was said at Wednesday night’s meeting.