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Seaman USD 345 board votes to demolish Indian Creek building after reviewing repair bids and insurance payout
Summary
After hearing public comment from Operation Backpack volunteers, the Seaman USD 345 Board voted to accept a $166,300 demolition bid for the Indian Creek building; staff said the district’s insurance payout will cover most of the cost and demolition could save about $50,000 a year in insurance and upkeep.
The Seaman USD 345 Board of Education voted to demolish the Indian Creek school building, approving a $166,300 bid from McPherson after hearing staff estimates on repair costs and insurance proceeds.
Marty Neinstat, the district’s hearing officer and facilities lead, told the board that repair bids to fix the gym ranged from $173,067 (Cini) to $207,331 (Murray & Sons), while demolition was estimated at $166,300. He said the district’s insurance payout would be about $105,007.98 and that the district’s out-of-pocket cost for demolition would be roughly $60,501.86. "If we do demolition, we would have an ongoing savings with our property insurance. They didn't give me a specific amount, but by having that building demoed, we would probably look at an annual savings of at least $50,000," Neinstat said.
Board members asked about alternative uses, liability and storage. Neinstat said the building has been largely unused for more than a decade and that most of the items stored there are not salvageable; some scrap value may be recovered but not a significant amount. He also said major systems such as HVAC and roofing would likely need replacement within five to 10 years even if the building were repaired, adding to long-term costs.
Public speakers who had relied on Indian Creek for volunteer operations asked the board to consider the nonprofit’s needs before demolition. Laura Smith, president of Topeka North Outreach, which runs Operation Backpack, explained the program provides weekend food sacks to roughly 700 children each week in the Seaman district and asked the board to preserve access or delay demolition until volunteers find an alternate site. The board noted volunteers had already moved out of the facility and discussed timing and logistics for relocating stored items.
The board approved the demolition motion by voice vote. Trustees asked staff to return with a recommendation on the future use of the parcel after demolition and to consider timing so community partners could be notified. The board was told that selling district property requires additional state-level steps and that any sale process would be subject to legislative requirements.
