The Lawrence school board moved closer Monday to ending debate about the future of the district's old administration building by agreeing to negotiate its sale to a church.
A 4-3 decision by the board authorized Supt. Randy Weseman to work out details of a deal with Unity Church of Lawrence for sale of the property at 3705 Clinton Parkway. The church is offering $905,000. In 1999, the building was appraised at $875,000.
"Besides greatly expanding our offerings for meditation and prayer, adult and child spiritual education and community support groups, we have big dreams for this space," church representative Polly McCall said.
The board deadlocked 3-3 at a previous meeting during which board member Sue Morgan was absent. Monday, her support for the sale tipped the scale in the church's favor.
Morgan apologized to Unity members for previous comments board member Jack Davidson made suggesting the church's financial offer was insulting to the district.
"I was, personally ... embarrassed," she said.
Prior to Monday's vote, board members Mary Loveland, James Hilliard and Davidson argued the district ought to hold the property until a districtwide facilities study could be finished. Loveland and Davidson said the board might want to relocate the alternative high school from Holcom Park to 3705 Clinton Parkway.
"We have an alternative high school that is in critical need of more space, better space," Loveland said. "We own a building with what I believe to be an ideal location."
Hilliard said a comprehensive study was needed to decide the best use of all district property. If not, he said, "we're going to be stumbling over this again and again."
Board members Leni Salkind, Austin Turney, Scott Morgan and Sue Morgan formed a coalition determined to push the sale through. In part, they want to replenish the district's capital outlay fund.
The board borrowed from that fund to acquire a new $4.1 million administration and warehouse building at 110 McDonald Drive. Voters had approved a bond issue that contained $2.8 million for a warehouse and maintenance shop. There was no money earmarked for administrative offices in the bond issue.
The shortfall required the board to borrow from the fund to complete the deal, which was accompanied by a vow to restore the fund by selling the former India School on East 23rd Street and the old headquarters.
"I, for one, must honor that commitment," Turney said.
Scott Morgan, who opposed purchase of the new headquarters building, said the old headquarters had been on the market for 18 months but had yet to generate any other solid bids.
"We haven't exactly been swamped with offers," he said. "I think it's a fair price."
Judy Juneau, principal of the 130-student alternative high school, serving students at Free State High School and Lawrence High School, said she didn't want to support or oppose the church's initiative.
Juneau made clear the time had come for a community discussion about relocating the alternative high school. She called it a "real equity issue."
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