Board directs administration to pursue RFP process and next steps for four vacant properties and operations building lease

The School District of Beloit board held a lengthy discussion about four district properties and the operations building before voting unanimously to authorize administration to pursue an open process — including issuing or reopening an RFP for broker/listing services — and to return to the board within approximately a month with pricing and process details.

Superintendent Garrison reviewed the four sites under consideration: the vacant Wright School (1003 Woodward Ave., roughly 26,000 square feet), the vacant McNeil Middle School (1524 Frederick St., about 114,000 square feet), a 0.9‑acre vacant parcel adjacent to Beloit Memorial High School, and a parcel at 1149 Fourth Street. He also described the operations building at 1430 Fourth Street (about 2,700 square feet) as a possible lease candidate.

Public commenter Juan Romero urged the board to weigh repurposing vacant middle‑school buildings — for example as student health and wellness centers or community space — against an immediate sale, noting adaptive reuse can carry long‑term benefits but also requires sustainable partnerships and capital. James Hoy, co‑president of the Beloit Education Association, said district staff and student services would suffer further cuts absent referendum approval and urged referendum support.

Board members asked about prior outreach to local realtors and whether the district had contacted Century 21 or other local brokers; administration said Century 21 had been contacted on Feb. 7 but had not previously submitted a response to the district’s outreach and could participate in a renewed RFP. Broker Bill Mears, representing Coldwell Banker, said sellers generally can refuse offers and can place deed restrictions on future land use if desired; he also clarified his office is based in Janesville but performs commercial brokerage work across the region.

Board members emphasized transparency and asked for clear constraints or deed‑restriction options for any sale, particularly for the 1149 Fourth Street lot near school facilities. Board member Amy Levy asked to pause consideration of 1149 Fourth Street pending more study; the board’s final motion directed administration to run a transparent RFP process for listing/broker services, gather appraisal and pricing ranges, consider deed restrictions and stipulations, and return to the board with a recommendation — the motion passed unanimously.

The committee previously directed administration to explore sale possibilities; the board’s action authorizes an expanded, transparent RFP process and follow‑up reporting to the full board.