INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County School Board and Board of County Commissioners agreed Tuesday that the county’s administrative complex is not the place for the School District offices to move to.
Instead, a possible land swap could provide the School District with the space needed and cost savings to build a new complex of its own, replacing the former Indian River County hospital, in which the district’s administrative offices are currently located.
The 30-year lease between the School District and the County is up March 1 and would have to be renegotiated and renewed before then in order for the district to remain where it is.
The snag, according to both School Board and County Commission members, is that the current School District offices are in dire need of expensive renovations – including a $300,000 roof – and neither has the money to do so.
Nor is there space at the County Administration Complex across the street for the School District, as the vacant space on the second floor is already allocated for various Charter Officers’ offices.
“It needs a ton of work,” School Board Chair Matt McCain said of the School District’s current building.
As it is, the School District is paying the County $45,000 annually for its lease or $1.79 per square foot.
School Board member Claudia Jimenez reminded the County Commission that the School Board’s purpose is to serve the county’s children, an endeavor, she said, that should be collaborative in spirit.
“We’re all in a bad financial situation,” Jimenez said, asking why the County would not be willing to split the cost of a new roof 50-50, given the County is the landlord.
“Where is the collaboration?” she asked. “Why can’t we find a middle ground?”
Commission Chair Bob Solari told Jimenez and the other School Board members that each government has its own purpose and different taxing districts.
He added that he does not believe it is the County’s job to pay the School District’s expenses.
“This is not our building,” Jimenez said. “We rent it.”
Solari countered, saying that the School District does not rent the property at fair market value – but at a deeply discounted rate.
“I think that’s wonderful collaboration,” Solari said.
County Administrator Joe Baird told the School Board that if not for the School District’s need for the property, the County would have already torn down the complex. He also said it would not be in the County’s best interest to put money into the complex.
One potential solution to the School District’s dilemma could be a land swap between the district and the County.
Baird threw out a suggestion of swapping the county-owned land next door to the current School District complex for the land on Oslo Road the School District once planned to use for a high school.
“We’d have to talk about that,” Baird said.
Provided the sites are comparable in market value and each party could use the swapped land as envisioned, the land swap idea could work.
After the meeting, Baird said the School District would have to take a look at its long-term needs to determine whether it really needs a high school in that area. He also said that the County could consider other properties the School District might have available for a swap.
Baird explained that a swap would be preferable for the County as it has requirements for a certain amount of park space under its Comprehensive Plans.
School Board member Karen Disney-Brombach said she would support leaving the current building as soon as possible for a permanent structure.
“Our employees deserve a healthy environment,” she said.
County Attorney Alan Polackwich said after the meeting that it could take about a month to work out a new lease with the School District.
Commissioners agreed that the new lease should be written to allow the School District more flexibility. Instead of renewing as is under the current contract for 10 years, the new lease could allow for annual renewals or set a long-term lease with a quick exit option.
The School Board appeared receptive to the new lease options, which would allow them to get out of their lease if another, better property presented itself.