Land swap saga continues

NORWALK — The land swap saga between Norwalk Schools and Huron County commissioners shows no sign of ending anytime soon. Last week, the school board voted to delay a proposal submitted by the commission to sell the land needed to begin construction on a new school. During a Huron County commission meeting last month — following an executive session with school representatives, which included superintendent Brad Cooley, treasurer Joyce Dupont and school board member Jeremy Norris — county commissioner Harry Brady was joined by fellow county commissioner Tom Dunlap in requesting Sitterly draft a sales proposal for just over 23 acres to the school district. The land in question involves acreage on Shady Lane Drive across Norwalk High School. School board members said it must obtain just over 23 acres of county-owned land from the commission for construction to begin. The proposal sets the price per acre at just over $30,000. Land price issues The board claims to have been offered the land at $20,000 per acre by county commissioner Tom Dunlap at a previous meeting, although they concede that the offer had "not been seconded." Norwalk Schools contracted with Winslow Appraisal to appraise the land, and they estimated its value at around $11,000 per acre. Alison Crawford, the school board president, said she is curious how the county came to the $30,000-per-acre number after the district purchased an appraisal "to make sure we have accurate numbers." "What process got to $30,000?" she asked. The board said they received no appraisal with the Sitterly offer. The county and the Norwalk board of education have been negotiating the sale price since 2023 and have yet to strike a deal. The proposed project encompasses the construction of an entirely new elementary/middle, or pre-K-8, school on Shady Lane Drive designed to have an open campus with Norwalk High School. It's been a contentious issue that had previously failed to gain approval from a majority of county commissioners. Stakeholders should know that the money is not an issue for this project. Norwalk Schools has secured a public bond that pays approximately $48 million for the construction, with the state funding the rest of the nearly $100 million project, which could be the largest single construction project in city history. Speaking up Emails to county commissioners and prosecutor James Sitterly have gone unanswered. Many school board members, however, did comment on this situation: • Kayla Burkett: "I think it's great that we have an offer. I do think there are some things that we need to consider before voting on this." • Ralph Ritzenthaler: "This $100 million project was passed the first time. I don't recall how many schools got that. It's very difficult on the first time to get something like this (passed). The people know this is a great thing to happen — a fantastic building we could have across the street here. All we need is cooperation." Crawford also chimed in. "I don't know why we're not just sitting at a table and figuring out what's best for everybody," she said, noting she does still appreciate that there is "some conversation" and "some kind of an offer."