The old saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” could apply to the Jonesville Middle School Complex.

Monday, Jonesville Mayor Ernest Moore asked the Union County Board of School Trustees to donate the complex and its ball field to the town. He said the property, which until two years ago was Jonesville High School, has served the community for more than 80 years.

“We believe it is only fitting it all goes back to those who love it so and to those who are committed to doing good in this community,” he said.

Moore proposed using the complex as a community/ senior citizens center, providing a place for meals and exercise; a community library, partnering with the Union County Carnegie Library; and the Jonesville Town Hall, providing office space for town government, the police department and the municipal courtroom. Other parts of the building could be used by the Men of Action mentoring group and the Jonesville Historical Society, he said, while the ball fields could be used for athletic activities.

When Jonesville’s new school for grades K-8 opens in the fall, the school district will no longer need the middle school complex and it will be closed. Instead of allowing it to deteriorate through lack of use, why not donate the complex to the town, which can put the property to good use serving the community? At the same time, the school district can reduce its maintenance costs and property taxes.

Donating the complex to the town would be a win-win situation for the schools and Jonesville.