Two portable classrooms behind Gladstone High School are slated for demolition due to the building’s roof partially caving in.
The Gladstone Kids Clothes Closet has been using the soon-to-be-demolished classrooms, so this service providing free kids clothing to all families in the community will be moving to another set of GHS portable classrooms that have roofs in better condition.
By vacating a nearby portable and moving into the main high school building this month, GHS’s Adult Transition program has made way for the Clothes Closet. The transition program supports young adults, ages 18-21 with modified diplomas, in building independence and enhancing their quality of life.
Patching the portable’s roof would cost more than double the amount of demolition. If the bond had passed in May, bond funds could have been used to pay for the demolition costs or to repair the roof. Instead, the school district is having to use general funds for this project.
Clothing is available to the community for free in the Clothes Closet’s thrift-store type setting. Gladstone citizens support this resource by donating used clothing or by giving cash to purchase new socks and underwear.
The number of families served by the Clothes Closet has nearly doubled over the past three years, reflecting an increasing community need. A significant portion of the 361 families with 846 children served, approximately two-thirds, were first-time shoppers during the 2024-25 school year, indicating the program's expanding reach within the community.
Community donations have also increased, with individual donations rising from 404 to 581 annually, demonstrating strong local support for the initiative. The Gladstone Education Foundation and local dentist Bob Everett have recently supported the Clothes Closet with donations of clothing racks, a washer and dryer.
All of the clothes, washer, dryer and clothing racks will need to be moved into the new portable building on July 26. Please stop by that morning if you’d like to help with the move.