HIGH SCHOOL CLEANUP

Volunteer school cleanup nixed Commissioners say 1927 building is too hazardous for residents to enter.

BOYNTON BEACH — There’s a group of Boynton Beach residents who want to volunteer their time and money and have a cleanup weekend at the vacant Boynton Beach historic high school, but a majority of the City Commission has stomped on their plans and won’t give them permission to step inside.

Commissioner Mike Fitzpatrick presented the idea to his fellow commissioners last week. He outlined plans surrounding the weekend but didn’t have responses to satisfy other officials who were concerned about insurance and safety.

“I think your intentions are well-meant ... however, I can tell you that our facilities director has told us that this building is a hazardous building,” Mayor Jerry Taylor said. “As mayor, there’s no way in good conscience I could let residents of this city go into a hazardous situation.”

Commissioners in early August voted to demolish the 1927 building on Ocean Avenue, but then architect Rick Gonzalez asked them in mid-August for time to come up with a plan and money to save it. He was given four months.

In September, Gonzalez told The Palm Beach Post his team went into the building and were disappointed to see the site has deteriorated even more from water damage.

In the meantime, Fitzpatrick and some residents — there were about 12 in the audience, Fitzpatrick said — Keep up with The Post’s complete coverage of Boynton Beach on its Facebook page dedicated to the city. On Facebook, search for Post on Boynton Beach.

PHOTOS BY LANNIS WATERS / THE PALM BEACH POST A broken window leads into the lunchroom of the old Boynton High School. An architect working on a renovation plan said water damage has worsened conditions.

The old Boynton Beach High School was erected in 1927 and has been the subject of restoration proposals. The City Commission voted in mid-August to demolish it before agreeing to a reprieve.