Non-profit firm interested in closed Everly school building

There's a glimmer of hope for new life at the former Clay Central/Everly 7-12 grade building.

The Everly City Council on Monday reviewed a proposal from Guardian Education and Athletic Services (GEA) regarding the firm's interest in the property. Two other potential locations are in the mix, but CC/E Board Member Brian Schmidt said GEA's board of directors is slated to make a final decision this month.

"They like the [Everly] facility and think it would work well," Schmidt told council members. "I'm definitely not one that's going to make a promise on this, though."

GEA submitted a business plan summary to the council to explain its goals. According to the seven-page document, the firm plans to create a "post-secondary program aimed at athletes who wish to continue their athletic careers while continuing their education."

"What separates GEA from regular community colleges or universities is that many of the students we will work to attract are not currently achieving the ACT/SAT scores, GPA or class rank to gain enrollment to many collegiate programs," stated the business plan summary. "Some of these students will be dealing with learning disabilities while some will be due more to circumstances such as a difficult home environment, the need to help support their families while in school, etc."

GEA's other locations of interest include Battle Creek in Ida County and Chamberlin; however, the latter city's location is unclear – there is no Chamberlin, Iowa.

The program will be tuition based and hopes to partner with community colleges so students can take on-campus or online courses. Educational support and tutoring will be offered as well as athletic training in the student's desired sport.

"The advantage for students to attend GEA is individual training and academic support," states the business plan summary. "They will accelerate at a faster pace than their counterparts who are on a school team due to this individual attention on their particular needs."

GEA is a newly-formed company and is a non-profit organization under the Iowa Non-Profit Act Chapter 504A of the Code of Iowa. It is awaiting approval as a 501(c)(3) organization at the federal level, according to the business plan summary.

Once a location for the program is secured, GEA plans to have a "soft opening" with around 10 students for the spring 2021 semester. A "hard opening" would following in the fall of 2021 with between 36-60 students, and if capacity goals are met within the first year of operation, "the next goal would include expansion of facilities and staff to accommodate up to 100 students per year."

Council members were intrigued by the news. The Everly school building has sat empty since June of 2019 when classes dismissed after the district ceased offering grades 7-12 due to declining enrollment and financial concerns. The district has been emptying out the facility via online auction sales.

"Living across the street from the property, we'd be thrilled to have something there again," said Council Member Cheri Hoye.

GEA representatives were set to meet with CC/E officials Tuesday regarding the Everly building. Hoye was enlisted to attend on behalf of the council, and Schmidt said more will be known when the school board meets July 27.

Schmidt said CC/E Assistant Superintendent Scott Scharn was "pretty excited about it." Prior to the GEA development, many assumed the Everly school would eventually get demolished.

"[Scharn] thinks it would be a win-win with a good community use and the building wouldn't be torn down," said Schmidt.

According to GEA's business plan summary, wrestling, mixed martial arts, soccer and baseball will be offered with planned growth to include additional sports later on. Plans also state GEA's long-term goal is to eventually host competitive sporting events at whichever location it selects.

"As it is well known that college-level athletics attract large crowds, this increased traffic will benefit local businesses and hopefully encourage the opening of additional businesses to accommodate the need," stated the business plan summary. "In addition, the increased traffic and participation of these school events will bring name recognition to the community."

Mayor Brad Behrens said the news "sounds like a positive."

"I'd rather do that instead of having a great, big hole, as long as it's a clean and well-run program," he said. "I never thought we'd have any interest on [the building]."

GEA is a Christian faith-based organization. Though not mandatory, students will be encouraged to participate in religious activities.

According to the business plan summary, GEA got its start from a "current, successful gym" that's been operational for nearly three years. Individuals who helped found GEA include Daryl Dotson, James Cassaro, Brent Koppie and Mike Bushby.

Behrens and the council offered the city's support in helping CC/E officials find a new tenant for the former school.

"If you can get a buck for [the school], go for it," Behrens said. "I think there would be support for it because there won't be a big hole and there could be use for it."