The Wenatchee World Online
School district may buy $4 million skills center
By Rachel Schleif
World staff writer
Posted May 15, 2008

WENATCHEE — Wenatchee School District is one step closer to buying the $4 million North Central Technical Skills Center from the Port of Chelan County.



Wenatchee will buy the property on behalf of the 10 school districts involved in the skills center because the property is in Wenatchee's district boundaries.


The deal is expected to be cost-free to the school district because the state will cover the purchase.


The school board Tuesday unanimously accepted an "option agreement," which secures the school district's right to buy the 4.8-acre property and buildings on Penny Road near Easy Street.


The purchase hinges on whether state Legislators agree to cover the rest of the $4 million, said school district lawyer Phil Johnson.


"If it's not authorized, we won't buy the building," Johnson said about state funding. "There appears to be great support on the state level for this project."


State funding was already secured to pay a nonrefundable $50,000 deposit on the property, due by Aug. 15. The sale must close by October 2009, according to the agreement.


The skills center is a vocational school where about 170 high school students take job-specific programs such as automotive technology, computer technology or culinary arts. An advisory council representing the 10 school districts govern the skills center.


The council now leases the property from the Port for about $150,000 a year.


If the Wenatchee School District closes the deal, the advisory council will still govern the skills center. Eastmont School District now manages the finances, which the Wenatchee School District will eventually take over after the sale is final.


"The way it's set up, this should be cost neutral to the district," said Wenatchee School District superintendent Brian Flones.


Building maintenance will be covered by a state fund for skills centers, Flones said.


COMMENTS

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I agree with Jon 100%. It amazes me that the employees and board members of agencies, which run solely on taxpayer dollars, seem to have little clue that there is NO SUCH THING AS FREE MONEY. It matters not whether the funds come from local, state, or federal coffers, those coffers are filled from the pockets and wallets of hardworking taxpayers.
Martin Reginald | May 15, 2008 4:17 pm | Request Removal
First let me state that I agree with the district purchase of the Skills Center. I think it is a great asset to both the community and students. They do an excellent job of preparing young adults for good paying jobs without having to go to the expense of going to a full time college. That said, I find it more than a little humorous to once again here a PUBLIC official or entitiy saying it will cost US nothing, the State is paying for it (or county, city, feds, etc.) Now unless the state has started to issue its own money, where do these gov't. officials think the money comes from. Have you looked at your property tax lately or the rent increases, or the ever increasing gas taxes, etc.? Granted the district may not write the check for it but we all pay for it, and this will be a good investment, I just wish those in public employment would remember once in a while who pays for what.
Jon Rappuhn, Wenatchee WA
Jon Rappuhn | May 15, 2008 1:45 pm | Request Removal
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