One local elementary school building was sold to the highest bidder yesterday. Cortland Elementary School and its contents were all auctioned off leaving some residents surprised.
Cortland Elementary closed June 4 after students rang the bell for the last time to save the district money. Saturday the School building along with desks, chairs, and anything left in the school was sold at auction, surprising the public. "It was a little unfortunate we had to move all the kids to the middle school and move then throughout the township. It was disappointing that they closed it," said long time Cortland resident, Jack Luscher.
While many residents are surprised the 132 year old school was shut down and sold, school board president, Mary Williams, says it will save the district thousands. "Half a million dollars actually. That was with closing the building and moving to other buildings." The school board is hoping to save $500,000 a year by closing the school and says that will help the district break even on spending.
In 1877 the building was purchased for $10,000 .and in 2009 it was sold for that same amount. "Yes, it was a win, win. No loss for anybody. We are very excited we did get the original return back on the investment," Williams said.
Williams said the school board still needs to decide how to spend the $10,000 the district has in its pocket. Cortland Elementary's new owner, a bidder from Missouri, plans to turn the school building into a Bible College.
