Cedar Rapids school board to hold two public hearings tonight

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids school district will have two public hearings tonight, both of which center around land at Grant Wood Elementary School.

The City of Cedar Rapids wants to purchase 246 square feet of property along 26th Street SE in order to modify the sidewalk. The city will pay the purchase price of $1, plus attorney and publishing fees.

The city also will restore all disturbed areas to original conditions.

If board members approve selling the land, the district will be asked to grant the city a temporary easement along 26th Street S.E.

The district has no intention of building on the property in question.

The public hearings will be held at 5 p.m. in the boardroom, room 305, and the Educational Service Center @ Kingston.

Also on the agenda tonight is the fourth, and final, quarterly report regarding the district's internal control progress. Board members also will be asked to approve a resolution to hire Scott Olson, a registered architect and commercial real estate broker with Skogman Commercial Real Estate at the Penthouse, to be the district's representative in the disposition of district property damaged in the 2008 flood.

Olson's compensation, according to the consulting agreement, is $200 per hour. The total fee won't exceed 3 percent of the appraised value of the buildings damaged in the flood, including the former administrative building.

Several parties have contacted the district regarding the facilities. Superintendent Dave Benson has said the district is maintaining a file of individuals and/or corporations who have expressed an interest, adding thatthe intent is to provide the facilities for community reuse.