The scheduled renovation of the Annex at East High School has been delayed indefinitely by a federal lawsuit challenging the school board's construction programs designed to increase participation by minorities and females in the industry. In February, 1998, the Associated Builders and Contractors and seven companies filed suit claiming that the school board's "goals" of 25 to 35% minority/female participation in construction projects have become quotas. In March of this year, a federal judge ordered the Memphis City Schools to stop considering race and gender when awarding contracts.
Construction of a downtown school and projects to air condition several schools are also on hold.
At present, the annex, built in 1951 to relieve the overcrowding at East, is used for storage and for offices for building engineers. It was closed for class use in the in the mid 1980's. After the still-planned renovation is completed, the annex will remain office space rather than for classroom use, according to school sources.

This summer marks the 35th anniversary of the death of East High's first principal, Joel P. Snider.
Mr. Snider apparently possessed a quality not always found in school principals.
"He was cool," said Nancy Gooch Luke (class of '66) who teaches first grade in Huntsville, Ala.
"He drove a Jaguar," said Jack Bradley (class of '65) assistant managing editor at The Commercial Appeal.
Speaking of the newspaper, an obituary in the July 30, 1964, edition reads:

"Joel P. Snider of 1058 Peabody, longtime Memphis educator and the first and only principal of East High School, died at Campbell Clinic and Hospital at 7:40 last night from injuries received in a car-truck crash near Savannah, Tenn., about 3:30 p.m. He was 60.
"Mr. Snider's car collided with a pickup truck eight miles west of Savannah on a rain-slick highway.
"He was taken to Hardin County General Hospital in Savannah for emergency treatment then moved to Memphis where he died.
"State troopers said Mr. Snider's car collided on a curve with the truck driven by Franklin Perry Hill, 38, of Olive Hill, Tenn. ... No charges were filed pending further investigation.
"Born in Hampton Roads, Va., Mr. Snider was educated at the University of Virginia where he received his bachelor's and master's degree and was chosen to Phi Beta Kappa.
"He came to Memphis in 1926 and taught at Memphis University School until 1934. From 1934 until 1936 he taught at Treadwell Junior High and from 1936-1939 at Humes High School.
"In 1939 he was named principal of Leroy Pope School where he remained until 1943. From 1943-1948 he was principal at Snowden School.
"In 1948 he was named the principal of East High School when it opened.
Summer classes at the school will be suspended today in Mr. Snider's memory.
"Mrs. Arthur Seessel, a member of the Board of Education whose son studied under Mr. Snider said, 'I'm shocked. This is certainly a tragic loss to the community.
" ' My son went to high school under him and I hold Mr. Snider in high professional regard as well as having a deep personal feeling for him. Excuse me, please, but I am shocked.'
"... Mr. Snider was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral (Episcopal.) He leaves a daughter, Mrs. Coyle Shea Jr. of 5669 Gwynne Cove, .... and six grandchildren.
"Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery with Memphis Funeral Home in charge."

Demolition has begun on the building where many East High students took their final steps from high school on to the rest of their lives. The Auditorium, known for much of the time East used it for graduation ceremonies as Ellis Auditorium, is to be torn down to make room for a new addition to the Memphis Cook Convention Center. The 75-year old building will be replaced by a new Performing Arts facility.
Although as a part of their high school experience, most East graduates who received their diplomas at Ellis Auditorim only spent a few hours in the building. It's not likely something of which they think when someone asks about their high school years. But when such an alumnus takes a moment to remember graduation, there may be a tug of sentiment for the downtown Auditorium where she/he spent those final moments of being a student which then progressed to being a graduate. Some may vividly recall their moment of glory as they walked across the stage to the appreciation of parents and friends in the audience to receive a piece of paper which represented 12 years of work.
The salvage company coordinating the demolition has announced that pieces of the stage will be made available for sale as keepsakes. At least one class representative has expressed interest in obtaining part of the floorboards which supported the last steps to graduation.