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School board approves preparing East Elementary for sale, to be subdivided for residential lots
Summary
The Antigo School Board voted to raise and prepare East Elementary for sale, directing administration to ready the property to be divided into residential lots with a two-lot-per-buyer limit; board discussion ranged from demolition cost estimates to long-term community impacts.
The Antigo Unified School District Board of Education voted to approve preparing East Elementary School for sale and to have the property divided into residential lots, with a limit of two lots purchasable by any one individual or entity. The motion was made by Catherine Zolan and carried after discussion and a failed attempt to postpone the decision until October.
Board members said the action is intended to return the property to the tax rolls and create housing opportunities in a community that lacks buildable lots. The board directed administration to prepare the property for sale and to begin the necessary steps to subdivide and market lots.
Why it matters: East Elementary is one of several district-owned buildings the community has discussed since the recent referendum. Board members debated financial trade-offs including the cost to raise/demolish the building, the effect of vacant buildings on community appearance and long-term tax base, and whether selling lots or the building as-is would better serve the district and city.
Most discussion focused on the economics and timeline. Jake Leiderman, director of buildings and grounds and transportation, provided a contractor ballpark for raising/demolishing the building of about $150,000 but cautioned that actual bids could be higher or lower. Board members and administration noted other cost items that remain to be quantified, including asbestos abatement for window glazing and routine costs to secure and maintain a vacant property.
Board members stressed two pathways: post the property for sale and accept bids for purchase as-is, or pay contractors to remove the building and then sell subdivided lots. Several board members said lots in the city are scarce and that subdividing East Elementary could help with teacher recruitment and community housing needs; others warned that private buyers sometimes let large, repurposed properties deteriorate after purchase. The board discussed prior property sales (Spring Valley, Pleasant View, Mattoon) when assessing likely outcomes.
The board did not set a minimum sale price during the vote. Administration said it will solicit contractor bids for raising/demolition work and follow the board’s direction to prepare the property for sale. The board also limited purchases to two lots per buyer in the motion.
The vote: Motion to prepare East Elementary for sale and subdivide for residential lots (mover: Catherine Zolan). Outcome: approved.
Looking ahead: Administration will gather formal bids for demolition/raising and prepare the property for sale; the board deferred detailed parceling, minimum price and listing specifics to follow-on administrative work and a future board agenda if needed.
