“It was really difficult to close this building, but it’s the right thing to do,” Milroy Public School Supt. John Willey said, as he wrapped up what might very well be the final Milroy Public School board meeting on Monday (another special meeting could be called this month to handle any outstanding business).
Prior to that statement, Willey spoke about the upcoming two-day public assets sale at the school, which is open to the public.
“I’ve had numerous calls — ‘Can we come to the school early?’ No, you can’t,” said Willey. “This is a public sale, and everyone has to have equal opportunity — no early sales.”
Willey said there will also be no negotiating or haggling over the cost of an item. Each are labeled, much like a typical garage sale.
“It’s priced accordingly, so people will be able to afford it,” he said. “Our goal is not to keep the stuff, it’s to get rid of the stuff. The less we put in the dumpster, the better off we are. Are there some really neat items in there, some things that are priced at what the value is? Yes. For the most part, it’s at a bargain rate.”
Tracy Area Public Schools got the first look at all the items and took what it wanted for its schools, but everything left over is available to the public. The books that are currently in the library can also be taken for free.
After the sale, the buyers of the building can go through and keep anything they want; the rest will find a home in the dumpsters.
“If Joe Public wants to dumpster dive, he can dumpster dive,” Willey said. “If 85% or 90% of the stuff is gone, I’ll be really happy. “If 100% is gone, I’ll be dancing down the street.”
The sale will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday and resume at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
“The doors will not open until 9 o’clock,” Willey said. “There may be a line, but those doors will not be unlocked until 9 o’clock. I’m a stickler on that.”
With that, the meeting adjourned.
In other business from Monday … • The sale of the school building is moving ahead after a minor hiccup was addressed. Since there is no judgement against the school district, the buyers’ request for title insurance has been removed. There is some fuel left in the propane tank, and Willey said the new owners will be using the same company the school used and will buy what is left in the tank. Willey hoped the sale will be wrapped up sometime next week.
• The resignations of board members Mary Leach, Vanessa Stolp and Kathleen Kesteloot were accepted, as was teacher Melissa Wagner’s.
• Final contract amendments for contracts for Wiley, Roiyn Hauger and Jason Dahl were approved.
