The Owatonna School Board on Sept. 22 approved a purchase agreement for the former district office at 515 West Bridal Street, authorizing the district to sell the property to the City of Owatonna for $260,000.

Superintendent Dr. Champa described the sale as a cooperative outcome reached with the city and recommended board approval. "This is for a Bridal Street property and so in an agreement with the city, the city will be purchasing that based on your approval," she said.

Kevin Rainey, speaking for the city, told the board the purchase allows the city to remodel the facility and use it for one to two years as a law enforcement center while a new building is constructed. "Without this purchase, we didn't have a plan B," Rainey said, and he thanked the district for working quickly to finalize the agreement.

Board members asked about roof repairs and skylight issues mentioned in the agreement. Dr. Champa said roof repairs are covered as warranty work and the warranty is transferable; skylight work is the city's responsibility. "The roof repairs included because it's warranty work and it's transferable… the skylight though is not. That is, will be up to the city on how they address that," she said.

A motion to approve the sale was moved and seconded; the board voted by voice and the motion carried.

The board also invited two city representatives, Kevin Rainey and Jenna Tooma, to the dais for brief remarks before the vote.