Update:

Now that the listing has expired and the price dropped 1.1 million dollars for Union Sanborn Elementary school building …  Will the wrsd school board approach the only ones interested, that made an offer, in purchasing the building or will they let us taxpayers foot the bill for an empty building for another six months and then drop the price another mil and change? Only time will tell. Best to sell now and not pay to maintain the building until who knows when. The only thing that matters is the welfare of our children and the children of Compass Classical Academy deserve a building of their own to grow in and a playground to burn off energy in. The children of Southwick elementary deserve to have an option for a less crammed schooling experience. This is NOT a debate about if Public or Charter schools are better, this is a simple real estate transaction that only benefits our children.

Here is the latest listing for Union.

https://www.603opportunity.com/

In the assessment the district had done a fee years before they closed the school, the assessed price was no where near their asking prices and the school board was planning to list it for 500k. Somewhere greed took ahold of them and a 4.6 mil price tag was attached. Now listed at 3.5 mil. A 1.1 mil decrease after only SIX months, reflects the mistakes made, but still is not near the actual assessed value. Yes inflation could play a part but this building was bought and paid for by the towns people of Northfield long ago. This is just greed and failure to uphold the written law. A lawsuit that will cost the taxpayers money, on top of footing the bill for an empty building. Let me remind everyone that to insure an empty building is exponentially more expensive than an occupied building. 

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Union Sanborn school has been on the market for months after the school board voted to sell it due to it needing too much work. 

The Charter school made an offer soon after it was listed, at a price reflecting all the work needed. The school board tabled the offer, without rejection or countering. 
The current law in place gives charter schools the first right to refusal when a school is being sold, and the school board is ignoring the law by not negotiating and ignoring them. This is due to certain board members personal bias.

The Charter school will offer a much needed option for the education and well being of our children. The board sees this as competition instead of the reality, which is that not all kids learn the same, so there needs to be easily accessible options. 

If not sold soon the building will sit empty on the taxpayers dime. Heat, electricity, insurance, and more. All adds up. Potential squatter problems and vandalism that has already begun with a smashed set of glass doors. 

There is a board meeting September 19th at 6:30 pm in the middle school gym. Please attend with questions, concerns, and to voice your opinion on this matter! 

Please sign and share. The children need us to advocate  for them and their education options.