Romeo board to follow RFP process for Prospect Street property after delayed offer from Green Space group

Board President Anita Banach said the Romeo Community Schools Board will follow a previously approved timeline and accept offers for the district-owned property at 297 Prospect through a formal Request for Proposal process beginning in January 2025.

Banach read a prepared statement on behalf of the board explaining that the board passed a revised Resolution 91 on May 16 that allowed the Green Space on Prospect Street group (GSOPS) extra time to fundraise and present a viable offer. She said the resolution set a Nov. 1 deadline for an offer and authorized administration to open an RFP in January 2025. Banach noted the board did not receive an offer by Nov. 1 but acknowledged receipt of an offer on Dec. 3 and said, "As a reminder to the public, the only requirement on the sale of the property is that it must be voted on by the Board of Education in a public meeting."

During the public comment period, resident Franco Folino spoke about the GSOPS vision for the Prospect Street lot and urged the board to consider the group's offer and support their fundraising efforts. No vote or formal decision on a sale occurred at the meeting.

Separately, the board moved into closed session for a superintendent evaluation and to receive legal opinion and later returned to open session; the closed session and return were recorded by roll call and carried on unanimous 7-0 votes.

The board approved the meeting agenda at the start of the session and adjourned at 5:56 p.m.; both votes were unanimous.