“We’ve got some work to do.”

Those were the words uttered by Lewis-Palmer D-38 board President Tiffiney Upchurch moments after the board unanimously approved the demolition of the district’s Grace Best Education Center during its regular meeting Tuesday night.

The difficult decision follows years of discussions, deliberations and a mandate by the Monument Fire Department last fall.

After being given 12 months to address the building’s conditions by the fire chief, who determined that the building no longer met the International Fire Code, D-38 has been weighing different options and garnering public feedback as to how it should proceed.

Fire department gives 12-month timeline to D38 for Grace Best solutions

Five options were presented to the board ranging from taking no action to razing and rebuilding the facility.

Three of these options required passing a bond by local voters for all the needed funding. One option, demolishing the structure and nothing more, would be covered by existing reserve funds. The other option, taking no action, would continue to cost the district overtime by keeping up with its utilities.

Given the uncertainty of a bond passing and the impracticality of keeping a building about to be evacuated, the board collectively, though somewhat solemnly, agreed that the demolition was what was best for the district and community.

“I think this is one of those types of decisions that, no matter what we choose, we’re not going to make everybody in the community happy,” board director Todd Brown said. “So, we just have to do what we believe … is the most financially feasible thing to do.”

The demolition is projected to cost the district $1.3 million.

Since the building first opened its doors at 66 Jefferson St. in 1957 as a high school, Grace Best has experienced expansions, repurposing and the wear-and-tear that most buildings its age endure.  

Unlike other buildings, this particular structure experienced significant deteriorations in some areas while others saw upgrades that resulted in it becoming an elementary school before housing specialized programs.

At some point during the 1980s, the building started to leak at the conjunction of the original building and its additions. The substantial leaks were left unaddressed for years and led to water damage to the ceiling, walls and flooring.

As district leadership struggled to decide on how best to address the building, significant maintenance never occurred and the building continued to degrade.

In 2015, the Colorado Department of Education reported that Grace Best had nearly $9 million worth of deficits during its school assessments.

Lewis-Palmer School District 38 board prepares to 'reenvision' Grace Best, hears update to strategic plan

The building currently houses D-38’s programming for its homeschooled and special needs students and also shares space with Silver Key Senior Services.

During the meeting’s public comment portion, Silver Key CEO Jason DeBueno reminded board members of the group’s history and relationship with the district along with the work and investment it has put into the space.

“The decision you make will impact the way Silver Key can or cannot move forward with the care that we provide older adults,” he said.

He would go on to express Silver Key’s interest in purchasing the three-acre plot of land owned by the district that was discussed later in the meeting.

With the wheels now in motion to move on from the building, the impetus is determining a better, long-term solution for students and community members.

Short-term goals in this process will be to identify a temporary location to house its Home Enrichment Academy and Transitions Services program for the rest of the school year before finding a new permanent location.

“I’m disappointed that we’ve allowed the can to be kicked this far,” board Treasurer Ron Schwarz said. “For us, in this era, for the fire chief to tell us to do something is not good.”