Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) has begun the process of demolishing Brunkow Preschool located at 3000 S 24th St, Saginaw, MI 48601, following an extensive review process and by the Board of Education’s June 17th approval of Bierlein Construction’s bid for the project. The building, which sustained significant damage earlier this school year as a result of a fire, was deemed a total loss after careful assessment and cost analysis.
“While we exhausted every avenue to determine if Brunkow could be salvaged, the reality of the damage and mounting repair costs made it clear that restoring the building was not a viable option,” said Dr. Jeffrey Collier, Saginaw ISD Superintendent. “This was not an easy decision, but it was the responsible one for our students, families, community, and taxpayers.”
RC Hendrick is serving as construction manager for the demolition project, coordinating closely with Bierlein Construction. Demolition of the structure will begin shortly, with the entire project anticipated to be complete by late summer.
The Brunkow campus spans just over 17 acres, and Saginaw ISD’s goal is to return the site to a well-maintained green space in the interim. This decision reflects the district’s intent to support neighborhood aesthetics and prevent the campus from becoming a source of blight or an attractive nuisance.
Saginaw ISD remains committed to honoring the legacy of Brunkow as a former Buena Vista Elementary School and early childhood site. “We recognize the emotional connection many in our community have to this building and its history,” said Dr. Katherine Ellison, Saginaw ISD Board Vice President. “We made sure to preserve items of significance, such as recently installed playground equipment, signage, and plaques. These materials have been relocated to other Saginaw ISD sites so that the memory of Brunkow remains.”
Students and families who were previously enrolled at Brunkow Preschool have been successfully accommodated at nearby Saginaw ISD early childhood sites, including Jerome, Claytor, and Brucker, as well as classrooms located within local district and community partner buildings.
“We understand that this is difficult news for some, but our intent is to be thoughtful, transparent, and proactive in how we move forward,” said Dr. Collier. “We are committed to being good stewards of this space, and to ensuring our actions reflect respect for both the neighborhood and the public trust.”
A follow-up notice will be provided to the community once the demolition timeline is finalized. Saginaw ISD thanks the community for its continued support and patience throughout this process.
ABOUT SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, Saginaw ISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, four public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.
MEDIA CONTACT
Coty Kuschinsky - Saginaw ISD Chief of Staff and Communications Director