Guthrie Public Schools purchases properties near athletic fields

The Guthrie Board of Education voted to approve a contract to purchase property near Jelsma Stadium and Squires Field on Monday night. In August, they purchased a property in the same proximity.

Both properties were discussed in executive sessions and committee meetings. No public discussions or dialogue took place in either public meeting among board members except for a roll call of votes which both were unanimous.

In years past, the school district has purchased multiple homes in the area for expansion, including the last renovation of Jelsma Stadium in 2005.

During the Aug. 14 board meeting, the board approved the purchase of 213 E. Vilas in the amount of $79,500. Online records show the house sold two weeks later and the buyer was represented by Jan Goodyear with Century 21 Goodyear Green.

At the Nov. 13 meeting, the board approved the consideration of purchasing 211 E. Vilas at a price of $105,000 plus closing costs. A January closing date is expected to close the sale.

The properties are adjacent to each other behind the outfield wall of Squires Field.

“Given the availability of the property and its proximity to the (football) stadium and baseball field, we felt it provides options for the district in the future,” Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson said.

The purchases will be funded by the school district’s Building Fund, which is a fund collected by ad valorem dollars to provide money, in part, for the acquisition, construction, remodeling, and maintenance for the school district.