Saturday, May 20, 2006

Several alumni of the former Kellerton and Grand Valley School District are banding together to establish a building fund. Alumni Association President Ken BAKER says the group feels it's important to preserve the building. He says the school's been closed for about ten years now, but alumni still go back for an annual banquet.

Friends in the area tell the organizers that it'll need some maintenance, but they all like going back home for the gatherings so they've decided it's up to the alumni to undertake to keep the building in good shape.

BAKER says the fund drive has already had several donations, and the city of Kellerton has already approved their renovation and maintenance plan. At the banquet he expects members to approve it, adding a couple 500-dollar donations have rolled in and several others have pledged 100-dollars or more a year for many years to come. He says "It's kicked off well even before it's officially adopted." BAKER says the roof is one of the big-ticket items that'll need to be repaired.

It's a rounded roof and the building dates from the early 1950s. It's not leaking right now, but BAKER says it's showing the damage of time and is probably going to be a fifteen to 20-thousand dollar job if it has to be done to protect the whole building. There's also some paving to do outside and he says they'd like to make the building handicapped-accessible.

BAKER says the plan is to have alumni help out with the project.

"The best thing they can do to help out is to dig deep in their pockets," BAKER says. He hopes people will make a commitment for future years, since keeping up the building will be more than just a one-time expense.

Pledges can go to the Grand Valley & Kellerton Committee at Post Office Box 117, Kellerton, Iowa, 50133.

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