The Armstrong School District Board of Education voted to give both properties of the Ford City High School and Kittanning Junior High School to the Armstrong County Industrial Development Council. The IDC intends to demolish the buildings to offer land to developers.
Last week, Armstrong School Board Solicitor Lee Price said the School Board was going to wait a few weeks until bids were received by the Armstrong County Industrial Development Council to tear down Kittanning Junior High School and the Ford City High School before a “sale” would take place.
Although not included on last Thursday’s proposed agenda for Monday night, June 12, it was a last minute addition on Sunday when the final agenda was posted to the District’s website.
The resolution said in part, “The Armstrong County Industrial Development Council has offered to acquire the Ford City High School / Kittanning Junior High School for purposes of attempting to ultimately develop the property for a better use.”
No price was stipulated in the resolution, but Price said last week that the transfer of the deed for $1 was a formality.
There was also no mention of the split of any profit between the IDC and ASD should the land be later sold to a developer for more than the demolition costs, as Price said would be the case.
The IDC will receive bids on June 23, 2017 for the demolition of Ford City High School first, then Kittanning Junior High School - depending on the amount of the bids.