After years of being at odds with the Moriarty-Edgewood School District (MESD), the Town of Edgewood is suing the district over its proposal to demolish historic buildings.
The historic buildings are former Edgewood Elementary School buildings, which were closed in 2013 due to a decline in enrollment. The school’s north buildings have been the town library and the town administration office since 2017 after the town and district signed a 25-year lease. Despite the lease, in 2022, there was a similar controversy surrounding the buildings when the school district proposed demolition.
The district’s 2024 Facilities Master Plan (FMP) again proposes demolition. The Edgewood Commission held a meeting in March to increase public awareness regarding this proposal. After community members and parents voiced their concerns and opposition to proposals in the FMP, the district held a meeting seeking community input in April.
According to an Edgewood news release, the town has made offers to the MESD to purchase the historic buildings to no avail. In the news release, Edgewood Commissioner Jerry Powers said attempted mediation has also failed.
“By going to a judge for a declaratory judgment, we are asking for a decision on the most appropriate way to acquire and protect these buildings,” Powers said in the release. “We are concerned because the buildings are not being adequately maintained in accordance with the Historic Preservation laws of New Mexico.”
The release included information from New Mexico statutes that state when one government entity no longer has a use for a building, that building can be transferred to another government entity at a minimal cost since it was constructed and maintained using taxpayer funds. Edgewood Mayor Ken Brennan said this shows how the state recognizes the importance of maintaining cultural history, which means protecting structures at risk of deterioration or demolition.
The Independent reached out to the MESD Superintendent Todd Bibiano for comment but did not hear back as of press time.