York board talks old middle school options

The building has served as York’s high school and later its middle school. Now the brick structure, however, has been empty for nearly a year. Empty, but not free. Bills for heat and electricity have continued as the York Public Schools has kept heat and electricity in place.
Even with “make us an offer” the past year, the board has had no nibbles on the property.
That lack of activity brought Dave Connely, a Lincoln resident representing United Country Real Estate, to Monday’s meeting of the board.
Connely said his firm found a buyer for the former school building in Bradshaw. It is currently marketing three buildings for Cross County Schools.
Connely said the commission on a 12-month listing would be 7 percent of the selling price. Much of the advertising comes with the listing at no additional charge, however EBay is the exception. He said EBay charges are $850 for 90 days with the option of a second 90 days at $350. His firm, said Connely, brings to bear the assets of 760 offices nationwide.
He said Internet auctions are another method being used more and more frequently to move such specialized structures. Plus, he said he company prints and widely distributes numerous catalogs of properties.
“We have a lot of exposure,” he said. “We get a lot of calls,” he said, noting that many former school buildings sell to group homes, call centers, etc.
“I can’t guarantee I can sell the school, but I can guarantee we’re going to get it out there in front of people,” said Connely.
He said such structures typically sell within a range from $4 to $10 per square foot. York’s former middle school contains 98,000 square feet of space.
“It’s just a lot of square footage to utilize,” Connely said, adding that the presence of asbestos may be another issue to deal with, however it’s not unusual in such sales.
The bulk of schools he sells, Connely said, go for $7 to $7.50 per square foot.
“They’re not easy to sell, folks,” he said. “I’m not going to lie to you.”
Connely left copies of a contract with board members for their consideration.
In other business the board:
• Used York’s vote to support Kathy Bartek of Falls City as representative for this region on the Nebraska Association of School Boards Legislation Committee. Bartek is a long-time member of the school board in her home town and was recommended by York board member Matt Schnell.
• Heard from Superintendent Terry Kenealy that rising costs for electricity, natural gas and fuel/oil are putting a strain on the budget. Kenealy said the district will probably end the fiscal year in good shape with natural gas costs compared to what was budgeted. Electricity and gasoline/diesel look to be a different matter, however.
“No one was predicting crude oil at $123 a barrel and diesel fuel over $4 a gallon last August,” when budgets were made, Kenealy wrote to the board in his report. “I am not sure that anyone is able to predict where it will go in 2009.”
• In a report on this year’s building and trades house, Kenealy said, “It’s getting close to being done. The weather has really set them back as far as outside work goes.”
Students will continue working on the house even after the school year ends. Kenealy answered a question about liability by saying they were still part of the program and, thus, would also remain part of the insurance.
• Set the next meeting for 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21.