At the Monday, April 15 Rushford-Peterson School Board meeting, a number of items related to the former R-P Schools facilities were discussed. Among them, the sale of the former middle school in Peterson and proposals for the former elementary and high school in Rushford.
Middle school building sale
The potential sale of the former middle school building to the Maplewood Group/Roger Anderson brought forth some further concerns for the district and some comments of frustration from the board. Anderson’s first attempt to purchase the building last year, which resulted in the district canceling that process, as financing could not be pulled together for the then $115,000 purchase. The board then opened the sale of the building up for bids again and Anderson was once again the high bidder, this time at just $40,000. The second sale came with stipulations regarding a no-extensions final date and the payment of a $3,000 penalty, which was related to the first sale. The inconvenience fee had not been paid as of the board meeting.
“It’s considered a confidental matter sharing concerns about person’s financial abilities,” noted Superintendent Chuck Ehler, regarding the current status of the sale. Down payment and penalty checks were presented to the district and held. “At the present time, we’re still waiting. You’ve been patient and more than fair. It’s time to move forward with it.”
“I don’t know what to say,” said Board Chairman John Linder. “Typically, when you bid on property, you have your finances lined up.”
Ehler noted Anderson had seen delays in financing, noting Anderson had been “banking on something” that didn’t come to fruition in time.
“One problem; we passed up an opportunity to sell this building nine months ago. The bid was upped and forced the other out,” responded Linder. “Now, we have a situation where it may have cost us money. He was given a hard date. That date has come and gone.”
“I was under impression that the penalty or inconvenience fee was to be paid immediately. I would like to see that immediately,” said Board Director Chris Grindland.
Director Bonnie Prinsen went a step further noting the checks, including down payment, should be deposited. “If there’s something I want to buy, it’s more than paper. There’s an expectation; you get checks and they go in the bank. It’s frustrating.”
Director Jeff Michel questioned Anderson’s reliability. “How do we know he’s going to come up with funds? Personally, I don’t trust him.”
“If this was the first time, maybe, but, we’ve heard so many stories and there’s been so many extensions,” added Linder. “Here we are, nine months later and we’re still talking about it. This is basically what you’d pay for a new truck and you can’t come up with financing in nine months?”
Grindland suggested waiting until the proposed closing date of April 26 and if nothing happens by then, the district refrain from entertaining anything further from Anderson, as well as returning only the down payment check, not the penalty check. Director Kathy Wade made a motion of the same, adding a 5 p.m. deadline on April 26. It was seconded and approved unanimously.
There are other options being explored for the site. Hiawatha Valley Education District conducted a site visit April 16. Ehler expressed wanting an indication by HVED prior to the May 20 meeting, so the board can take swift action on it.
The Facilities Committee has recommended the district continue to seek Request for Proposals (RFP) for redevelopment of the former elementary and high school facilities. According to Ehler, some parties have expressed interest in the site and the parameters are in place to roll out for proposals. Proposals are due in June and will be reviewed at the June 17 board meeting.
Ehler also noted he’d reached out to the City of Rushford, which had submitted a proposal for purchase of the site. The city is maintaining its proposal as written.
Prinsen suggested a press release be distributed “far and wide,” putting out the call for RFPs.
“We need to cast a wider net,” said Linder. “The city’s proposal is demolition.” Linder also questioned the proposal stipulation that potential developers work with the city. “Are we in a position to enforce it? We’re getting into an area that’s not ours and it’s a dangerous position. They’ll have to work with the city no matter what.”
Director Joyce Iverson, who initially made the request of cooperation with the city, expressed a concern that a developer may purchase the site, but that plans aren’t followed through and the building remains as is. “I’m just afraid it’s going to sit longer and it’s going to be done piecemeal.”
It was noted that once the site is sold, the matter is out of the hands of the district, but that the city would have to approve any zoning and would have to approve a development plan, which would carry its own requirements.
“You can always put it out there. If you don’t get suitable ones, extend it,” added Ehler. The board unanimously approved publishing a RFP immediately with the deadline remaining June.
In other news, Ehler updated the board on a study by HVED regarding their search for a new home office location. Currently, the home office for the education district is in Winona, with centers in Wabasha and Caledonia, as well as satellite sites such as Lanesboro School District’s autism center. “Right now, they’re struggling to find a central location,” he added, noting HVED serves 13 school districts from the region. “They hired a firm to study the needs and that will be shared with you next month. They haven’t come to clear cut decision, but everyone needs to be able to utilitze that facility.”
The decision will impact all 13 participating school districts, as all 13 districts would have to approve a levy to fund the new central location. The former R-P Middle School could serve as a temporary fix to the overflow issues HVED is having until a decision can be made on a new location.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, May 20, at 5:30 p.m., in the forum room. The public is encouraged to attend.
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