Several facts in a letter attacking the Rochester School Board for its decision to sell Holmes School to the Boys &; Girls Club of Rochester were in error.
First, Holmes was sold to the highest bidder. The bids to buy Holmes from the Boys &; Girls Club and Community Housing Partnership were both for the same amount and both matched the appraised value for the property. The only difference between the two bids is that there are two pieces of property involved at Holmes. Community Housing Partnership bid on both pieces while the Boys and Girls Club bid on only one.
Second, the school board has never considered any "additional modifications" to Holmes. Holmes consists of the original building constructed in 1910 and an addition built in 1965. Engineers have determined the original building is unsound and contains asbestos, so it needs be demolished. The Boys &; Girls Club proposal calls for using the new part and improving it. The club will pay for all improvements. As part of the expense in building Riverside School, the school board allocated money for the demolition of Holmes.
Finally, the school board recognized that a partnership between the school district and the Boys &; Girls Club would benefit the community. The club provides after-school educational opportunities for children and it does it using outside funding, not taxpayer dollars.
Jim; Kelly
ADVERTISEMENT
; President,; Board of Directors
Boys; &; Girls Club of Rochester
