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Village board affirms it will not pursue lease or purchase of Taylor Prairie School
Summary
Trustees voted to confirm the village is not open to leasing or buying Taylor Prairie School, citing levy limits, likely referendum requirements for added services, deferred maintenance, and uncertainty about the school district's plans.
The Cottage Grove Village Board on June 15 unanimously confirmed that the village will not pursue a lease or purchase of the Taylor Prairie School at this time.
Trustee Murphy introduced the agenda item and summarized staff concerns: added operating expenses would likely exceed levy limits, many new services would require a referendum, and deferred maintenance at the school would impose additional costs. Trustees said the school district has not presented a specific sale or lease proposal and noted the district staff’s characterization of the village’s position on the school had been overstated in a recent schoolboard agenda.
Multiple trustees argued that, without a concrete district plan and given the village’s current capital and levy constraints, the prudent course was to decline short‑term pursuit of the property. Trustee JP moved to confirm the village will not pursue leasing or purchasing the building; Trustee Erinson seconded. The motion carried.
The board asked staff to communicate the decision to the school district and reiterated that the village remains open to discussion in the future if circumstances change and a detailed, fiscally feasible proposal is presented.
