Renovations are underway at the Clare-Gladwin RESD’s John C.
Magnus Center to address the need for better facilities to house the career and
technical education (CTE) programs chosen by nearly 350 local high school
juniors and seniors annually. Phase one of the project is scheduled for
completion in May 2015..
Formerly home to Magnus Tractor Sales, the majority of the
property’s nearly 25-acres was donated to the RESD in the spring of 2013 by the
family of the late John C. Magnus and contains multiple outbuildings, a barn,
and a house. The RESD began working with architectural and engineering firms
last fall to determine a master plan for the space to be carried out in stages
as funding is secured.
During the 2013-2014 school year, two outbuildings were
removed and students in the CTE Construction Trades program prepped the
property for the upcoming renovations, as well as remodeled the house to make
it handicapped accessible for Clare-Gladwin Area School students to use in the
future to practice life skills.
Earlier this summer, Clare-Gladwin RESD accepted the lowest
bid from Bolle Contracting in Clare, and the demolition of old foundations and
the back portion of the main building is currently in progress. Several beams
and a portion of the barn floor will be replaced this fall, along with the
construction of a new driveway to better fit school busses and emergency
vehicles. To accommodate future development, a new septic field will be put in
and further excavation will take place. Technology wiring will be installed and
the new learning lab and classroom for the Health Occupations program will
occupy the renovated front portion of the property’s main building. The
$100,000 grant awarded to the RESD last year by the Rollin M. Gerstacker
Foundation of Midland will help fund this phase of the expansion.
According to Clare-Gladwin RESD Superintendent Sheryl
Presler, all of the project’s contractors have agreed to let the CTE
Construction Trades students work side-by-side with them on various tasks, such
as building new stud walls. “This is a real-world learning opportunity for our
students,” said Presler. “We are grateful these companies recognize the value
of vocational education and are willing to help shape the future workforce of
their industry.” Approximately $15,000 will be saved by having the students’
assistance.
