Future of Administrative Office, Lincoln School to be discussed
The Clear Lake School Board said Monday night it will consider the future of two district buildings-- Lincoln School and the downtown Administrative Office.
Earlier this year the Board held a public input session to hear ideas for the future of Lincoln School, which will be vacated at the end of the school year, but Monday night’s meeting was the first time the board has discussed selling its Administrative Office at 306 1st Ave. N.
“The district bought this (administrative office) at a bargain basement price of less than $30 per square foot, but the board may want to look at what the building might bring today,” said Superintendent Dwight Pierson, adding that the building houses approximately one-half of the staff it did when the building was purchased for $120,000 in 1999.
Re-location of personnel at the administrative office might also provide greater staff support at other buildings, he said, meaning secretaries could be more easily shared and he could assist principals, in turn making them more available to teachers in classrooms.
“At the time we bought this building we needed space and it made sense to locate the business office downtown. But now our buildings have more room and we’re not using (the administrative building) to its full advantage anymore,” said Board member Sandy Christ.
Members also noted the voter approved local option sales tax has provided steady funding for building projects which have expanded space at the schools.
Pierson estimates the district could save approximately $30,000 per year in utility, maintenance and insurance if the administrative building is sold. However, he added the sale of the building should only be considered if the sale price would cover the cost to relocate the office.
A recently conducted free evaluation of the building value is at $270,000 to $290,000, said Pierson.
The former industrial arts space, drafting room and a computer lab on the west end of the Middle School could provide space for administrative personnel if the downtown office is sold. The industrial arts program at the Middle School was discontinued in 2007.
Middle School Principal Robert Mondt said a portion of that space is needed for storage and a small locker room, however the 2,000-plus square feet could also be used for administrative office space.
The Board will place further discussion of the District Office on its March agenda.
In April, the future of Lincoln School will again be discussed. About 20 persons attended a January Board meeting to suggest a number of possible uses for the Lincoln School building, ranging from city offices for law enforcement to a historical and tourist information center.
Board members Ron Andrews and Tom Lovell said they will work to develop criteria which could help the board evaluate potential offers on the school site, as well as a timeline. The 4.25 acre site is located in a prime location, but buyers face the challenge of making the facility handicap accessible, as well as bringing it to code if remodeling the structure. Cost of demolition is estimated at $100,000, with another $40,000 needed for asbestos removal.