The R-P School Board voted 6:1 to approve the sale of the former R-P Middle School facility, located in Peterson, at the February 25 meeting. The board appeared somewhat reluctant to approve the winning bid and did put contingencies on the purchase agreement. The Maplewood Group, represented by Roger Anderson, was the winning bidder.
Last August, the board approved sale of the facility to the group, but that sale never came to fruition. Initially, the group had agreed to purchase the facility for $115,000; $90,000 for the building and $25,000 for the contents. Anderson had attended the August 20 board meeting and detailed plans to explore usage of the building as an aviation center, running two different programs from the location: an Airframe & Powerplant license certification program for aviation mechanics and a pilot’s license flight school.
Plans and the sale were still pending when Anderson met with the Peterson Council September 12. Shortly after, plans began to unravel when title work and financial issues prevented things from moving forward. At that time, the board imposed a December 20 deadline for a purchase agreement, in addition to a $1,000 addendum for the district’s inconvenience.
The Maplewood Group was unable to make the December 20 deadline and the board proceeded with canceling the agreement. The district placed a new request for bids, which were opened earlier this month. The Maplewood Group was the high bidder, at a drastically reduced purchase amount from the previous bid at just $40,000; $30,000 for the building and $10,000 for the contents.
“I’m disappointed that we’re going down this path again,” said Board Chairman John Linder. “We did this dance with Mr. Anderson for months we got left at the altar. Here we go again. Hopefully, this time will be different,” He also recommended that the Maplewood Group pay the $3,000 penalty imposed the first time, which Anderson had agreed to pay, but had not. “No extensions; this is a drop dead date. It’s a trying experience. We need to be firm on this,” added Linder.
The current bid details a closing in 45 days. Additionally, the district is holding a 10%, $4,000 check from the Maplewood Group.
Board Director Chris Grindland, who also serves as City Clerk for the City of Peterson, was the lone dissention on the vote. “I’m more inclined to collect the penalties before we agree to consider selling to him. How long was this drug out before? He had everyone’s hopes up with these big dreams of a school there, which would have been great for the community, but there was no movement on it,” said Grindland. “Here we are again and what a deal. He’s getting the building for half price.”
The board’s approval of the resolution and preparation of sale documents was contingent on immediate payment of the penalty fees previously agreed to and exclusion of any kind of timeline extension.
In other news, school library aide Beth Nelson had tendered her resignation, having accepted the position with the city as Rushford Public Library Director. Nelson’s resignation is effective March 1.
Superintendent Chuck Ehler also addressed the number of snow and e-learning days utilized by the district thus far with the 2018-2019 school year. Ehler noted the district is allowed to have up to five e-learning days under Minnesota Department of Education guidelines. Between January 18 and February 20, the district has seen eight full-day cancellations, two two-hour delays, and one early dismissal. Ehler maintains that January 22, 28, 29, 30, and February 7 were e-learning days reported to the state, while January 31 was a snow day and February 12 and 20 were e-learning days uncounted by the district. Board approved student contact days were reduced from 174 to 171 for the year.
The next regularly scheduled school board meeting is Monday, March 18, at 5:30 p.m., in the Forum Room. The public is encouraged to attend.
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