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December 3, 2008

Schools for sale

Saranac District puts Cadyville and Dannemora elementary on the block

By STEPHEN BARTLETT

DANNEMORA — Saranac Central School is moving ahead with the sale of its buildings in Dannemora and Cadyville.

But at least one of the former school buildings could remain School District property, depending on the future needs of the district and potential buyers.

BOTH UP FOR SALE
For now, though, school officials plan to market the two buildings, as well as the District Office, which rests on the same property as the former Dannemora Elementary School.

"I think this is a good starting point," Saranac Central School Superintendent Ken Cringle said at Monday night's School Board meeting.

After much debate and community outcry, district officials decided to close Cadyville and Dannemora elementary schools to contend with poor enrollment projections. The district also wanted to reduce costs, maximize resources at its remaining buildings, create a middle school in Saranac and prevent further student transfers.

The district officially closed both schools on July 1, 2006.

USAGE
Dannemora Elementary continues to be used for sports practices and by after-school groups.

District officials have been discussing the future of the two school buildings and the administrative offices in Dannemora.

At a community meeting, residents suggested options such as selling all buildings, tearing them down, seeking tenants and donating them to the community.

The most likely scenarios considered by school officials have been selling the properties, leasing them or doing both.

The Dannemora property includes the school at 23,417 square feet and 3.6 acres and the District Office at 6,133 square feet and 5.4 acres.

The Cadyville school is 23,470 square feet and about 4 acres.

FUTURE NEEDS
The School District knows it won't need both buildings in the future but worries that if it sells both properties, it might need space in the future.

"The State Education Department discourages leasing and purchasing modular classrooms," Cringle noted.

"They have to meet all standards, and purchasing one classroom would be about $150,000, and that is not counting utilities.

"Leasing is a little cheaper, at around $53,000 for one year."

School Board member Vasso LaForest suggested selling the school buildings and using the money to add on to the remaining facilities, if and when that's needed.

Cringle said that wasn't a bad plan and again pointed out that board members have several options they could choose to pursue.

"The probability of needing one building or space is possible, and that is why it would be difficult to market both."

LEASING
Leasing, for example, Dannemora School could bring in $94,000, though the district would still be responsible for maintaining the structure.

"That is another option, in the event space is needed," Cringle said.

He preferred putting both properties up for sale, while considering pulling, say, Dannemora, from the market if the Cadyville building is sold.

The School Board opted to pursue that route, asking Cringle for more information on costs associated with maintaining a leased building.

The approved resolution gave Cringle the authority to pursue sale or lease of the properties, with the guidelines that the district retain athletic fields for district use, market all three buildings and that once a perspective buyer is achieved for one building, the district suspend marketing of the remaining structures to provide opportunity to review the needs before proceeding with further sales.

"I think it is important we move forward," Cringle said, "and I think this is a good starting point."

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com

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