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FM Schools Working to Sell Properties

The Fort Madison School District is ready to get out of the real estate business.

Superintendent Ken Marang says the district is waiting on the state to sign off on the sale of the former Fort Madison Middle School to a local developer for $85,000.

Todd Schneider plans to renovate the building for residential housing. 

One funding source is state grant, thus the need for approval of environmental reports.

Marang says he is in constant contact with Schneider.  Marang says the purchase agreement expires in a couple weeks, so he hopes everything can be wrapped up so a second extension can be avoided.

The former Denmark Elementary School

At the same time, the school board recently expressed its intent to sell the site of the former Denmark Elementary School to a local organization for $1.

Marang says demolition is still underway at the site, which could house a small museum in the future.

A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 21.

"People can talk about what they think about our intent to do that," says Marang, "and then, after that, we will pass a resolution to actually do it."

The Fort Madison School District no longer needs the two properties with the construction of the new 4-8 grade building along Bluff Road.

There is one more piece of property for sale by the district, but it is not nearly as far along in the process.

Marang says the vacant lot where the former Jefferson School once stood has been listed for $90,000.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.