Building Purchase, School Lunch Price on School Board's Plate

A $5 million purchase price has been proposed for the Apple Valley land and building that houses School District 196's and programs for special needs students.

The district currently leases the building—at 5840 149th St. W. in Apple Valley—for nearly $381,000 a year.

A memo to the district's School Board, which meets Monday evening, reads that there would be "a number of advantages" to buying the property. As part of the lease, the district pays $112,000 in property taxes annually—all of which would be saved by purchasing the building.

Buying the property would also allow the district to use state Alternative Facility funding for future maintenance, the memo reads. The board .

Also on the board's agenda is , due mostly to federal mandates requiring the district to provide certain foods and equalize contributions among all students.

Board members also will hear and possibly approve the terms negotiated for new contracts for clerical and support staff workers.

The board holds regular meetings at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month at in Apple Valley.