Last elementary schools for sale

The final two elementary schools without a decided future in Lehighton Area School District are officially for sale.

Lehighton’s board of directors passed a motion Monday night authorizing district administration to solicit proposals for the sale of Shull-David and Franklin elementary schools, which will be closing at the end of this school year. Any proposals will be reviewed by the building and grounds committee before being presented to the board.

Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said organizations and individuals have already expressed interest in the buildings.

Behavioral Health Associates, which purchased Mahoning Elementary for $350,000 last year, is one of those interested parties.

“We also had an individual express interest as well as Franklin Township,” Cleaver said.

“What we wanted to do tonight is get permission to approach them and say if you want to take a tour or bring anything to our attention, you can do that. Also, if someone sees it in the newspaper or is interested, they can get in touch with us. We’ll then gather all the information and present it to the building and grounds committee.”

Director David Bradley cast the lone no vote, suggesting instead the buildings be advertised for sale to “the broadest base and for a 12-month period.”

He put that in the form of a motion, but it died for a lack of a second.

Lehighton had appraisals done on both buildings and the district has not released those amounts and is not required to before a sale, according to solicitor William Schwab.

“We rushed the sale of East Penn Elementary and only got $17 per square foot,” Bradley said.

“The other buildings were worth about $20 per square foot. Allowing other people to get a business plan together and have the opportunity to use that building gives the district an opportunity for more funds. It takes more than three months just to get financing together.”

Others argued waiting on selling the building gives no guarantee of a higher payout.

“You want us to hold on to that building for as long as possible instead of selling it to someone who would give you fair market value for it?” board President Larry Stern asked.

Though she didn’t deal with commercial buildings, Director Rita Spinelli is a former real estate agent.

“Appraisals are official opinions of value, but they are not a guarantee,” she said.

Stephen Holland, who chairs the building and grounds committee, said if they aren’t sold before winter, the district will be paying to heat the schools when they are dormant.

“They can be winterized if they are dormant,” Bradley said in response.

Later in the discussion, Bradley accused Schwab, who also represents Franklin Township, of leaking information from the appraisal to the municipality.

“No I did not,” a visibly frustrated Schwab said.

“I gave them a range if they were interested in purchasing the building. It doesn’t tell the warts in the building. It doesn’t tell the square footage of the building. It doesn’t give a deed description. This is just another one of your distortions.”

Earlier in Monday’s meeting, Lehighton’s board approved an intermunicipal transfer of Christman Field to Franklin Township.

When the original appraisal was done, Christman Field was included because it was part of the Franklin Elementary parcel.

It will be subdivided before any transfer to the township.

“That means we will have to get a second appraisal to reflect that change in the parcel,” Schwab said.

Lehighton plans to open its $33 million elementary center for the 2018-19 school year. In addition to Mahoning, East Penn Elementary was also sold last year for $350,000.

Duane and Lavona Schleicher plan to open a senior living center at the site.