Nicole Falco
At its Dec. 15 meeting, the School District 30 Board of Education announced plans to purchase approximately one half of the building the district's administration offices now occupy. The purchase is contingent on the results of a districtwide referendum scheduled for March 1.
The administration offices moved to 175 North Central Ave. from Washington Avenue in September 2002. The office building on Washington Avenue has since been converted to the Clear Stream Avenue School Annex, also known as the district's kindergarten learning center.
According to Lawrence McGoldrick, superintendent of schools, the district leases its current office space from Wallach Management Corp., which occupies the other half of 175 North Central Ave. The three-year lease, signed by the district last year, includes an option to buy. McGoldrick said the district would like to exercise that option.
The March 1 referendum will give district taxpayers the opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposal. If taxpayers vote yes to the purchase, McGoldrick said the district will enter into a contract to purchase 48 percent of the building at a cost of $575,000. Wallach Management will maintain ownership of the other 52 percent of the building. McGoldrick said the purchase will not affect taxpayers. The building will be paid for in full, using money the district already has set aside in its general fund.
Wallach Management will be able to sell 48 percent of the building by subdividing the premises, according to state regulations, in order to create two separate entities or condominiums. Both halves will continue to be used as office space.
If taxpayers vote no on the plan, McGoldrick said the district will continue to pay almost $100,000 per year to Wallach Management to lease the space.
"What we are trying to tell taxpayers is, yes, the space has worked out well for us ... [and] it's a fair price," McGoldrick said. "Instead of paying rent, we wish to buy [the building], which will be a savings to taxpayers for years to come."
