Schools

School Board Considers Eagle Sale, Budget Tuesday

An anonymous flier indicates some parents object to the elementary school sale to the Islamic Center in Franklin.

On Tuesday, Farmington school officials are expected to consider approving the sale of Eagle Elementary School, which was closed last year, to the Islamic Cultural Center in Franklin. Officials discussed the $1.1 million proposal at their May 24 meeting, but did not take any action.

If officials are inclined to approve the sale, they will likely face some opposition. On Wednesday Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch received a copy of an unsigned flyer urging parents to show up Tuesday to protest.

The flier states the district "never gave sufficient notification of the transaction to the community" and asks why officials were not more "transparent and forthcoming" about the sale." In addition, it suggests other alternatives for the property should have been considered.

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While in the Farmington School District, Eagle is located in West Bloomfield Township. Any development of the property would have to go through the planning process there, and according to West Bloomfield senior planner Sara Roediger, no plans have been filed.

Roediger said that the area is zoned for residential use in West Bloomfield, so the Islamic Cultural Center would need to file a special land use permit in order to develop anything other than single-family residential or school use. If the Center files for a special land use permit, a public hearing would be called and all residents within 300 feet would receive mailed notice.

Hills resident Cheryl Shah, who has lived in that area 14 years, believes that with the real estate market what it is, "if they can get a buyer, that's wonderful. I think there should not be any difference based on who (the sale) is to. That's discrimination, and that's not what America is all about."

Find out what's happening in Farmington-Farmington Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Shah said she expected some kind of commercial development on the site, which unlike the other empty neighborhood schools, is on a busy corner at 14 Mile and Middlebelt. "They closed it a year ago," she said. "Anyone who wanted it had ample chance to inquire."

Responding to a Facebook call for comments on the topic, Mary McGowan wrote, "Why keep it? It is only costing the schools money that could be used for the children and teachers."

Farmington Schools closed four elementary buildings last year; Wooddale, Flanders, William Grace, Eagle and the previously closed Fairview Early Childhood Center are all scheduled for demolition this year.

In other business on their Tuesday agenda, officials will consider:

  • The 2011-2012 budget, which despite concessions from support staff, will require a $7.9 million infusion from the District's fund balance;
  • Setting the first day of school for the 2011-2012 school year;
  • Awarding bids for paving, replacement of the Local Area Network (LAN) infrastructure and replacement of a utility tractor at Harrison High;
  • Reviewing bids for 2011-2012 bus replacement purchase and the purchase of two-way radios with GPS.

Officials will also hear a year-end report from the Farmington PTA Council and the AdvancED District Quality Assurance Review Report. They'll meet in a closed session at 6 p.m. and hold a short study session at 7 p.m. before their 7:30 p.m. meeting, all at the on Shiawassee in Farmington. There is time allotted for public comment on any topic during the regular meeting agenda.

A full packet of information about the Tuesday board meeting will be posted on the District's website in advance of the meeting and is also included with this story.


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