Council to Consider Options for McGinnis School

The Township Council gave the go-ahead Monday to have Mayor David Stahl and Administrator James White look into options for the McGinnis School.

The building, located at the intersection of Dunhams Corner Road and Hardenburg Lane near the Warnsdorfer School, has been unused by the municipality for years. White was unable to say exactly when the building was last used as a school, but Mayor Stahl said that due to its condition, it would be a major expense to bring it up to code.

“I would never come to council and suggest that we as a municipal government undertake those repairs,” said Mayor Stahl.

Mayor Stahl is asking the council to declare the building as “surplus” and to give him the opportunity explore options for the building, including selling or leasing it.

“The first step to take would be to take action declaring it surplus,” said White. “Then we go forward with talking about (request for proposals), zoning and what it can be used for.”

Councilman James Wendell suggested using the building for non-profit groups or township athletic clubs, which are always looking for space.

Township attorney Catherine Tamasik said the property is deed restricted for educational purposes and that she is looking into options regarding overcoming those restrictions should the township have no further use for the property. Mayor Stahl said several charitable groups have inquired about the building, most of which would meet the education requirement.

Wendell also said that whatever money is raised through the sale or least of the building should used to pay down the township’s debt.

“We would be doing a disservice to not look at it,” said Councilman Mike Hughes. “At this point it’s a safety hazard. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt in that building. For sure it’s something we need to look at.”