WESTFIELD – It appears a prankster has listed the venerable building on Montgomery Road for sale on a popular online classified web site.
Image from an online post about Westfield High School being “For Sale.”
The online listing says, “This school has seen a lot, and it’s last owner left a lot of wear and tear. It has no A/C, it’s sporting facilities are run down, and rumor has it the ghost of the previous owner still haunt’s it. It is said that you can hear a ghostly howl after school hours, whispering down the hall way, “the lisssttttt, the lissssst, bring back the lisssttttt”. While there are a few remaining good parts of the property, it’s most valuable asset is leaving. The class of 2016 is preparing to graduate, taking with it the heart and soul of the school. After they leave the only good part left will be the school dog. So please, help make Westfield High Great Again, and purchase this school.”
“Our best offer so far has been $2,016,” quipped WHS principal Dennis Duquette.
He said the sign must have gone up on Tuesday evening after 8:30 p.m., which is when he left the school grounds that day.
“I think it was a very positive student prank. I’m proud of them. Nothing malicious, no damage. It’s great,” Duquette said.
He said it shows the pride the students have had in the school all year, which he said has been 99.99% graffiti-free, with no damage to the building.
“They’re proud of their school, so they don’t damage it.”
As for the nod to Jake the dog, Duquette said he’s been a sort of role model all year. “They adore Jake. Jake accepts you for who you are, he doesn’t care what you look like or the color of your skin, if you have hair or no hair,” he said.
When the seniors asked Duquette on Wednesday how he liked the sign, which did come down right away because it was blocking cameras, he responded, “I love it!”
Duquette said he was told there would be more coming, and he told them as long as it’s not malicious.
“I’m pleased with the kids. It’s a tribute to Westfield,” he said.
