To the editor:

We, the Grant Township Board, on behalf of the patrons of Grant Township and surrounding areas would collectively like to thank the school board and the administration of District #497 for doing the honest, moral, ethical, and just plain right thing in giving the Grant School building back to the community via the township.

This was a unique circumstance in that the Grant community and surrounding areas paid the bond that built the building. Money from the patrons of Grant Township built Grant School, plain and simple. The school board and the administration have acted in good faith in returning the building to its rightful owners. They should be commended and remembered for doing the right thing and we believe this action shows their true honesty and integrity.

The Grant community is a close-knit one, and sure, we miss our school, but to quote a fellow patron of the township; “there is life after closure.” So now that we again have a meeting place, a place to vote, and a place to play on occasion, we feel more than ever that there is life after closure. We must have a common place to gather as neighbors and friends. This continuity is important and vital to our community.

We are looking forward to continued discussions with several other government and public education entities in hopes of gaining a partner to help with utilities and maintenance.

In closing, we once again commend and thank the school board and thank Supt. Weseman. We want to extend a special thank you to Rick Gammil, director of facilities planning for all of his time and help in the day to day coordination of this transfer of ownership.

Don Palmateer,

Randy Hartford,

Chester Fitch,

Grant Township Board