Billings County School Board to sell Fryburg Elementary School

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School Board

Talk about it

MEDORA — Billings County School Board members decided the old Fryburg School will be sold Wednesday.

It sold the neighboring shop and a parcel for $10 during a board meeting at DeMores Elementary School.

Fryburg School closed in 2000 due to dwindling enrollment. The Billings County weed board has an office in the building and the gym is often used.

School Board President Darren Baranko said selling the Fryburg School was a tough decision but in the long run it is best for the district.

He looked around the room and said, “We are all gathered here to make the best decision we can for our community and I appreciate you all being here to help us reach that decision.”

Four of the five School Board members voted in favor of selling the shop to the county for $10, board member Stacy Kessel voted against. The second vote regarding signing the contract was unanimous.

Baranko said the district can sell the property for a less than its fair market value because state law allows when selling to a government entity.

After discussion about details of the contract and deciding to have the property surveyed before the sale, the Fryburg School and surrounding property will be sold as is for no less than the appraised value.

Baranko said because the property was appraised as a whole he didn’t know what the appraised value of the remaining property is.

It is unclear whether the property, including the school, lagoon and mobile home lots, will be sold in one or two parcels. Business manager Darlene Mitchell said the only cost to the school will be the abstract and closing costs.

There will be a 7 percent buyer’s premium in addition to the purchase price when the property is sold to help Pifer’s Auction and Realty defray the cost of advertising and the expense of the sale, said Jim Sabe of Pifer’s Auction and Realty.

“There are so many possibilities with this property,” said Alan Butts, a representative of Pifer’s. He added he anticipates the sale to go well.

No sale date has been set, but there was discussion of hosting two showings of the property before the sale date.

Tags: fryburg elementary school, billings county school board, news, sell