Alumni from one of the state's oldest schools issued an empassioned plea to school district officials Tuesday, urging them not to sell Jordan High School to anyone who will demolish the historic structure.

"It's more than bricks over there," said Dennis Brown, a 1953 Jordan High graduate who told the Jordan Board of Education he was speaking for thousands of alumni of the 81-year-old school. "I would hate to see high-rise apartments there."Brown's plea came after Russ Booth of Mansell Commercial Real Estate Services outlined a plan to market the 21.66 acres of property and buildings at 9400 South and State Street for $3.6 million. Booth told the board he's already had a "fair amount of interest" from 17 parties requesting sales information. Some of the inquiries were based on plans to raze the buildings, while others envisioned a use for the main school hall and two annex buildings that provide 205,500 square feet of space.

Brown said he hoped the board would look beyond dollar signs when evaluating the valuable property's sale.

"All those who graduated over there know that the value of that property is not in the money, it's not in the money at all. Money can't buy what's in that school," Brown told the board. He encouraged board members to consult the Utah Heritage Foundation about uses for the school.

He also issued a stern reminder about the district's commitment to Jordan High. "I hope that whatever's done is done for the right reason."

Board members Ellen Wallace and Jane Callister also asked Booth to entertain bids that would incorporate some uses for the building. "It has a lot of memories for me," said Wallace, who is the board's president.

At one point, Superintendent Ray Whittenburg interjected that the issue at hand is approval only of the marketing plan, not the sale or destruction of the landmark building.

The board approved Mansell's marketing strategy, which calls for the land and buildings to be available for occupancy June 1, 1996. Students will move Jan. 1, 1996, to the new Jordan High School located on 50 acres at 9775 S. State.

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Judy Turnbow of Jordan's Alumni Association told the board the school contains so much heritage and history that it would be a contribution to the city's future if current buildings are renovated and used.

Recent news articles and discussions about the sale made her aware that the school could be torn down, a prospect she said makes her want to "break down."

The Mansell marketing report states Jordan High's listing on the National Register of Historic Places does not preclude a new owner from "substantially remodeling or even demolishing the premises if a new owner were to conclude they could not suitably use the existing facility."

Mansell will take offers on the school through July 17, after which bids will be evaluated by the district.

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