By:Nicole Falco
The referendum will decide whether or not the district can go ahead with plans to purchase approximately one half of 175 N. Central Ave., the building the district-s administration offices now occupy. The administration offices moved to North Central Avenue 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.
Larry McGoldrick, superintendent of schools, said the board decided to reschedule the referendum after the district discovered a discrepancy in the purchase agreement. The original agreement said the district occupies 46 percent of the building, but the district actually occupies 44 percent, he said. The difference will lower the purchase price by $25,000. The new purchase price will be approximately $550,000.
The district leases its office space on North Central Avenue from Wallach Management Corp., which occupies the other half of the building. The three-year lease, signed by the district last year, includes an option to buy.
When the referendum was originally announced in December, McGoldrick explained that the purchase will not affect taxpayers- wallets. The building will be paid for in full, using money the district already has set aside in its General Fund.
Wallach Management is able to sell almost half 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 to the plan, McGoldrick has said the district will continue to pay almost $100,000 each year to Wallach Management to lease the space.
