WINSLOW -- City officials will proceed with efforts to own the former Winslow School District.
Greenland Superintendent Larry Ben is conferring with the school attorney on the steps for transferring ownership of the property that became part of the Greenland School District after a 2004 annexation.
Winslow Notes
• Estimated population of 420 by the U.S. Census.
• Winslow School District annexed by the Greenland School District in 2004.
• Winslow High School closed for seventh through 12th grades in 2005.
• Winslow Elementary School closed in 2007.
— STAFF REPORT
"We're interested in giving it to them," Ben said. "The understanding is it would be used to benefit the students and the citizens of Winslow."
The City Council has discussed the school for years, Winslow Mayor Randy Jarnagan said. The council last week gave Jarnagan the OK to proceed with finding out what steps are required for the city to acquire the property.
"It's clear Greenland could let us have it," Jarnagan said. "We're excited. After all these years, it's going to come to pass."
Jarnagan said city leaders intend for the city to occupy the former high school and lease the old gymnasium and elementary school building to the Winslow Community Center Association if the ownership transfer proceeds as planned. Some buildings would have to be demolished, he said.
The old high school basement provides storage space for city departments. The main floor houses the Agnes M. Stockburger Library, run by Washington County, as well as meeting space for the association and yoga classes.
The property is 17 miles south of the Greenland School District, and the upkeep of the campus has been limited because of money, Ben said.
"Without someone physically there to watch the property, you can imagine what could happen and has happened," Ben said. "It saddens me to think about it and to see the condition that it has fallen into. We just want to put an end to that."
Greenland school officials have kept locks on doors and taken steps to the secure the property, but those locks have been broken, Ben said. Thieves stole wiring, and the buildings are a target for vandalism.
Washington County Sheriff's Office records show deputies since 2006 submitted at least 10 reports of crimes, including burglary, breaking and entering and vandalism, on the school property, said Kelly Cantrell, department spokeswoman. Several reports indicate deputies discovered the crimes while on patrol, she said.
Transfer from the School District to the city will provide a group to keep eyes on the property and make sure it's cared for, Ben said.
Greenland School District, now with about 850 students, took ownership after annexing the former Winslow School District in 2004. Winslow's enrollment dropped to 270 children, and the state consolidation law required school districts with fewer than 350 pupils to merge with other districts.
Restoring use of the school property will take hard work, but community members plan to write grants in a search for money, said Jerry Bromley, president of the Winslow Community Center Association.
"I think things are going to work out," he said.
NW News on 06/23/2016