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Beloit board approves sale of McNeel School to Rock County Christian School in 4'3 vote
Summary
After extensive debate about community needs and the merits of a mental-health services proposal, the board voted 4'3 to approve the offer from Rock County Christian School to purchase McNeel School; supporters cited certainty of school use, opponents raised concerns about losing property and student enrollment.
The Beloit School District board voted 4'3 to accept an offer from Rock County Christian School to purchase the McNeel School, ending discussion after more than an hour of public remarks and board debate about community need and long-term stewardship of district property.
Board President Tia Johnson read a student letter describing overdoses and safety issues to underscore community needs and said she believed long-term savings and services could come from a community-services proposal, but the majority favored a sale to a school. "My recommendation is that the board should sell that piece of property to the highest bidder," Dr. Anderson said during discussion.
Board members spoke for both options. Carol Fox urged caution about selling to a developer and said selling to Rock County Christian School would preserve a school use: "We would be much more guaranteed if we sold it to Rock County Christian School that a school is going to go there and something will happen and probably happen fairly quickly," she said. Other members, including Megan Miller and Amy Levy, voiced preference for a buyer offering community mental-health services (McCarthy Investments with Whiz Hope partnership), citing local needs for addiction and family services.
The close-session negotiations produced a recommendation that the Rock County Christian School offer be accepted "as presented." On the roll-call vote in open session the board recorded yes votes from Carol Fox, Tom Henkins, Brian Nichols and Joanne Rue; Amy Levy, Megan Miller and Tia Johnson voted no. The motion carried 4'3.
The board president reminded members that detailed terms and purchase specifics were discussed in closed session and that finalized sale paperwork will be subject to public records requests once complete.
The board's decision drew public attention because two alternative uses were discussed publicly: a school continuing educational use and a developer-supported community center including mental-health services with a partner provider that already operates in the community. The record shows the board weighed certainty of school reuse against proposed services to address local behavioral-health needs before approving the Rock County Christian School purchase.
