Options eyed for former school

Frontier High closed on short notice in 2020

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

e Elizabeth School Board held a discussion on April 24 to consider potential uses for the unoccupied Frontier High School building, including selling the property, turning it into a preschool, and transforming it into a space for district o ces with an attached community center. e meeting concluded with a direction to convert the building to new uses without selling it.

Frontier High School, originally called the Red Brick School, is located at 589 S. Banner St. in downtown Elizabeth. It opened in 1920 to house an expanding student population and was rst accredited in 1924. e newer portion of Frontier High School was built in 1971. Most recently the space held an alternative high school that was abruptly abandoned in 2020 amid low enrollment numbers.

Currently the Elizabeth School District is faced with a decision as to what to do with the building.

e district’s current insurance carrier will not cover the building next year without 30% of it being in use. If this requirement is not met, the district will need to purchase a separate policy for the building. e district does not yet have a quote for a new policy.

“Frontier High School presents some challenges for us right now,” said Superintendent Dan Snowberger during his presentation to the board. “In 2020 we abandoned the building. We pulled the systems out. We pulled things out of the building. And so, we’re trying to determine what’s the best course of action.”