Vincennes School Board Takes High Bids

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) -       A southern Indiana school system gives approval for the sale of 3 large old buildings.

     The Vincennes School Board will receive $845,000 for the buildings..and  2 million additional dollars to fix up Adams Coliseum.

     The deals also open the way for investment in both buildings and kids.

     The Vincennes School Board has approved the sale of the old Clark Middle School and former administration building downtown to Myszak and Palmer.

     Under the agreement the firm will pay the school system $820,000 with a big plan to invest $9-million in the area to demolish Clark and replace it with a park and single family homes and convert the old Administration Building into senior citizen housing.

     "It does appear to be too good to be true," said Vincennes School Superintendent Tom Nonte.  "It's actually what I had in mind..I wished would have happened way back a year and a half ago."

     The school system also accepted the bid of the First Christian Church for the empty Washington Elementary even though it was well below the $170,000 asking price.
     "When you look at it on paper your first inclination is $25,000," questioned Nonte.
 
     The church plans to open a pre-school academy at Washington.

 The academy would enhance what existing pre-schools are doing in the community and open spots for kids who cannot get into pre-school now.

  Most of all it will provide the littlest learners with a leg up when it comes time to go to kindergarten.

     "We want it to be a continuation of a place of learning," said the Reverend Rick Grant with the First Christian Church.  "That building will have a continuation for many, many more years under the direction of First Christian."

     So, with the church investing in kids and the Myszak and Palmer investing in the community the deals look good.

     School officials say the sales will also eliminate $100,00 in annual costs to maintain the empty buildings.

     The sale of the downtown buildings are contingent upon Myszak and Palmer securing state tax credits.

     The church plans to raise funds for equipment and updating the Washington Elementary through the sale of ministry shares.