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Austintown schools receive $40,000 for sold properties.
AUSTINTOWN
The Austintown school board has received $40,000 in retainer money for the recently sold properties on Mahoning Avenue and Norquest Boulevard.
At the Feb. 17 board of education meeting, members agreed to sell the former Austintown Middle School property, 5800 Mahoning Ave., for $2.6 million to the company that operates the Meijer store chain; and the former Lloyd Elementary School land, Norquest Boulevard, to B&I Management, which operates Austintown Plaza, for $115,000.
As of Feb. 23, Meijer has 180 days to investigate any zoning and other issues that could prevent it from using the property.
At the Thursday evening board meeting, Superintendent Vince Colaluca said the board has received the retainer money, $25,000 for the middle-school property and $15,000 for the elementary-school property.
Kathy Mock, board of education president, said if the company decided to pull out of the agreement it would return the retainer money.
Mock also said she is hopeful the process will be complete by the end of the summer.
In other business, the school district is welcoming two new members to its staff: Arthur Ginetti as assistant treasurer and Lewis VanHoose as athletic director.
Mock said VanHoose is bringing in a lot of experience to the district.
“He’s had high-school experience and collegiate experience in sports, so he came highly recommended,” Mock said. “He has worked with [Youngstown State University] President Jim Tressel and at the collegiate level at The Ohio State University. That’s the pinnacle right there. It’s wonderful to have someone who has those relationships and ties with the local community.”
The board also approved the continued partnership with Austintown Police Department’s D.A.R.E. program to sponsor Safety Town, a project to teach incoming kindergarten students about safety.
“Our partnership with Austintown police is critical to the community. We have a wonderful working relationship with them,” Mock said. “Safety is critical for any kiddos. ... We educate them as much as we can in all the areas of safety today.”