Clayton School District Withdraws from Caleres Property Purchase Amid Backlash

The Clayton Board of Education has decided to cancel its $20.9 million contract to purchase the Caleres headquarters following strong community opposition. The school board will now focus on updating its long-range facilities plan to meet the district's needs over the next 15 to 20 years. The property, which includes 275,000 square feet over three buildings, is still being actively marketed for sale by Caleres. The decision to back out of the purchase has garnered mixed reactions, with some expressing relief while others emphasize the need for revenue generation for the city and school district.