Editor, Gazette-Journal:

The following letter is in response to a letter to the editor by Rusty West ("An opportunity missed," Oct. 24 Readers Write).

County records reflect the Page Middle School building, its contents and property in the open, were insured for $13,513,744. The insurance carrier’s final offer to fund returning Page to an upgraded and fully functional state, to repair/replace all outbuildings, lights, fences, the concession stand and bleachers was $8,235,687.

The school system paid RRMM Architects $27,000 to conduct another assessment. The areas RRMM disagreed with appear justified and would have enhanced the safety, quality and durability of the schoolhouse. RRMM’s estimate was $9,994,355. A difference of $1,758,668 and both under the $13,513,744 coverage limit. Because of age, utility infrastructure servicing the school needed upgrading which would have been cheaper than extending infrastructure to the T.C. Walker Road site. Parking and driveway a...