Board President Brett Guido said the board will have a work session most likely in mid-February to discuss the future of the property, which was appraised at $1.5 million ($50,000 per acre).
“Especially with our financial position right now, we want to make sure we review where we think we’ll be in the next five to 10 years,” Guido said. “We may need that property for an emergency overflow facility, or just sell it if the right purchaser comes to the table.”
The property is divided into three parcels: 7.4 acres, located at the southwest corner of Macready Avenue and Lee Price Avenue; 9.9 acres, located at 225-231 Macready Avenue; and 11.7 acres, located at West Elm Street.
Currently, the property is vacant, but still has security service and limited power, Guido said. Butler Tech’s Greentree Health Science Academy stopped using the facility in July 2010.
In the last year and a half, the school board has had discussions as to what to do with the property. Options have ranged from tearing it down to remodeling it to possibly partnering with the city and converting it into a community center.
“This has been in the works prior to discovering the financial problems we were in,” Guido said. “It’s only fair to circle back and make sure this board has the ability to discuss what we want to do. It would be irresponsible not to consider any option.
“I personally would envision some public use — a community church, community school, community park.”
Monroe has a projected $4.5 million deficit — $3.1 million from the Bond Retirement Fund and $1.4 million in operating expenses. The district is on fiscal watch by the Ohio Department of Education.
The money from a sale would go directly into the general fund, Treasurer Holly Cahall said.
The First Church of God’s bid was for all three parcels, and the $5,000 bid deposit was to be promptly returned, according to the resolution. Church officials declined to comment.
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5113 or steven.matthews@coxinc.com.
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