Jefferson County could tear down Columbine High School
Columbine High School could be torn down and rebuilt in a new location due to an increasing “morbid fascination” with the existing building because of the infamous shooting on April 20, 1999.
In a message obtained Thursday by our partners at KUSA, the Jeffco Public Schools Board of Education says school safety experts recommend tearing down buildings where school shootings take place, and the board is weighing its options for the infamous school.
“In 1999, no guidance existed on what to do with a building such as Columbine High School,” the school board letter says. “Since the morbid fascination with Columbine has been increasing over the years, rather than dissipating, we believe it is time for our community to consider this option for the existing Columbine building.”
Jeffco Superintendent Jason Glass said police intercept hundreds of people who want to get into Columbine every year, according to Kyle Clark with KUSA.
“Most of them are there to satisfy curiosity or a macabre, but harmless, interest in the school. For a small group of others, there is a potential intent to do harm,” Glass said.
This comes nearly two months after schools in the Denver area were closed as a precaution due to a reported threat against Columbine High School involving an 18-year-old woman from Florida. The woman was found dead in the mountains, and there was no threat to the school.
The board is exploring the possibility of asking voters for $60-70 million to construct a new high school for Columbine.
While the whole project is still just under consideration, the district says a new school building would retain the Columbine High School name, as well as its current mascot and colors.
“The existing building would be demolished, replaced with fields, and controlled entry points,” says one of the conceptual ideas being considered by Jeffco. “The new building would have enhanced safety features, designed to provide greater monitoring and school privacy.”
One of the conceptual ideas includes preserving Hope Library and making it the cornerstone of a new school building. That building could be built near the current school location, just west of the current site.
Marshall Zelinger with KUSA says former Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis told him that he was aware of the idea to replace Columbine. DeAngelis said he is supportive of the plan for a new Columbine.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
