City of Rippey may become owners of gym to be used by school
The Greene County school board at its regular meeting tonight (Dec. 17) will look at a much different idea for the sale of the former Rippey school property than was first proposed.
The new plan calls for the city of Rippey to own not only the vacant lot on which the 1921 three-story portion of the school stood, but also the gymnasium that was renovated for continuing use as a practice and sub-varsity game venue.
The proposal is that the Greene County CSD sell the gymnasium, garage and adjoining property to the city of Rippey for $1. The school would retain sole rights to use the gym and garage for as long as the school desires, and all costs (utilities, water, sewer, etc) associated with the gymnasium would be the responsibility of the school. The school would also maintain liability and limited property insurance on the gymnasium and property.
The city of Rippey would maintain liability insurance on the gymnasium and the property.
The city would mow the grounds, and Greene County schools would take care of snow removal.
The former East Greene board of education had asked that the city of Rippey be given first purchase rights on the property, and the school was notified last month of the Rippey city council’s desire to purchase the vacant property. However, selling only part of the property would incur costs in surveying updating the abstract that could approach $5,000. There was discussion of who should pay those costs at the school board meeting last month, and no consensus was reached.
Selling the entire property but retaining the right to use it reduce those expenses. The proposal would still meet the school’s intent of having a gymnasium to use, while assuring that when the facility is no longer needed by the school, the city will have control over it.
Early retirement: The board will also do the first reading of a policy allowing an early retirement incentive for teachers and others at the end of the current school year. According to the policy, the policy would provide possible cost savings to the district by employing less experienced teachers, administrators and support personnel, and it would open up job opportunities for new persons entering the field of education, administration or support employment.
The incentive would be available to fulltime employees who are at least 55 years old by next July 1 and have worked fulltime for the district for at least 10 years. The incentive would be a 45 percent of the person’s current year contracted salary (excluding supplemental/coaching pay and teacher salary supplement).
The policy allows the board to limit the total incentive paid by the district to $200,000. Personnel would have to notify the district of a retirement by Feb. 15.
