Board sells vacated Second Avenue School in push for revenue, debt reduction

NEBRASKA CITY – The Nebraska City School Board took another step toward revenue generation Friday by approving the sale of the former Second Avenue school building.

The building has not regularly hosted classrooms or offices since the school district purchased the former medical clinic in 2016.

Superintendent Mark Fritch said the board has received several offers for the property and the board is convinced the $55,000 offer is the best available with the understanding that the building is being sold “as is.”

Fritch: “It’s going to help us with our debt reduction. Granted we were not paying on a debt on that building, that building was paid for, but the proceeds from this building can help go toward our building fund, which can help us on our debt on other properties.”

The school recently announced sale of its Pioneer Academy building to Southeast Community College and has the former medical clinic, now used as a central office, for sale.

During a presentation Wednesday, Fritch said one of the ways the school intended to pay for the $845,000 costs of the former medical clinic building was by placing its IMPACT classrooms there and charging surrounding school districts to enroll their students with behavioral needs.

The income from out-of-district students has been minimal, however, and Fritch says there are other options for the district’s behavioral students once the building is sold.

Fritch: “Our number one concern are the students who are attending school here at the central office. Here at the district office we have a tremendous program for students. That is our number one priority, where they will be relocated and what the programming will look for.”

Fritch: “We’ll get those students placed if we have the opportunity to sell this building.”

The 2^nd Avenue school is currently zoned general commercial and is recommended for commercial or residential uses.