CDA 271: Building sale has potential

School boards nationwide face the challenge of avoiding distraction from the primary mission of education. School boards often over-build, over-acquire, and take on roles that no government entity should.

I have been watching the debate regarding whether or not School District 271 should sell its new administration building in that context, and I am therefore eager to hear the proposal advanced by Trustee Eubanks. I am cautiously optimistic about the idea.

On the other hand, I have many friends and neighbors that are opposed to the idea. They say another office move would be disruptive to the administration. While I definitely understand the financial cost and emotional impact of company-wide office moves, in the business world change is constant, and moves like this are frequent.

Financial counterpoints mostly center around the fact that the building was purchased at a bargain price. Of course, the original sale price should be irrelevant to the question of what the free market will pay today, and by extension, whether it is good business decision to hold or to sell.

I have heard, too, that the district owns this particular building free and clear, and that we should take that into account. While I agree that a significant amount of capital is parked in this building, that is not necessarily a good thing. Part of this building goes unused, and it is in a prime location unnecessary for an administrative office building. Government entities should be mindful of becoming real estate speculators.

Among those that concede that the present building is too large for efficient utilization, there are those that have been urging the district to enter into the commercial real estate leasing business by renting out the unused space. This would be a mistake, because again, government entities should be mindful of becoming real estate managers.

In the final analysis, there is only one essential question. Is there a more cost effective solution for administrative office space, without sacrificing workplace safety or efficiency, or isn’t there? I look forward to hearing Trustee Eubanks make his case at the next Trustee’s meeting.

BJORN HANDEEN

Coeur d’Alene