The Journal Star reports today that the District 150 school board is now thinking of just buying land from the Peoria Housing Authority (PHA) instead of trading school property for it. Cost: $178,000 (appraised value).
Board member Sean Matheson said he thinks purchasing the land may sit better with the community, avoiding potential complaints about the spread of public housing. “The PHA obviously needs cash – they’re cash strapped, and swapping land could lead to problems down the road where people don’t want us giving the land to the PHA near their home,” Matheson said.
Well, he’s certainly right about the community being worried about what land the district might swap with the PHA; we saw that back when there was talk (now rejected) of swapping the old Glen Oak School site for some PHA land. But I thought it was like the pot calling the kettle black when he talked of the PHA being “cash strapped.” I don’t believe District 150 is in the black, is it? I mean, isn’t that why they’re closing schools?
On the other hand, $178,000 is a heck of a lot cheaper than what they’ve paid so far for eight parcels of land by Glen Oak Park. So, I’m not criticizing their plan. In fact, they should sell those houses and use that money to buy the PHA land. Then everyone would be happy.
District 150 has Caterpillar paying for a community relations position and the Chamber of Commerce raising $40,000 for the truancy center. Seems to me those should be paid for directly by the district. Of course, the real answer is the old “it comes out of different funds.”
JUSTANOBSERVER:
And, how exactly did D150 accomplish the first fund transfer for the properties on Prospect? Which different funds were used for those transactions?
Karrie: I don’t know the details, I just know that whenever the school board is challenged on financial dealings they always say they can’t use money from one fund to pay for something in another area. So they can be flush in one fund–say buildings–and bankrupt in another. So they can buy houses from one fund, but can’t afford to pay for a truancy program. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but it’s been like that for many, many years around here. The next issue will be a new contract with teachers. I’ll bet they can’t afford to give much of an increase to teachers, while at the same time they can pay $750,000 for houses on Prospect and buy land from the PHA.
They will most likley use money from the sale of white school. It should go for at least the amount they need for the land in the south end.
Marty: Did D150 get an appraisal on White School yet? Doesn’t the PBC hold the title to White School ? Did CJ do a pots about that subject? If PBC holds the title, then who is authorized to sell it? Just more questions….
JUSTANOBSERVER — I agree with you — I was just asking how D150 accomplished the fund transfer to purchase the Prospect properties because I am still waiting on a FOIA request — just thought you might have a keen observation about which pot of money D150 used to purchase the properties in April and early May and then did a fund transfer on May 22 to approve paying for the properties that were seemingly paid for with some of those ‘different’ non-acquisition funds prior to the fund transfer…..