MOUNT OLIVE (11/15/05) – The Board of Education ended a long discussed matter last night…what to do with the Flanders School… by unanimously approving its sale to the Morris County ARC for $100,000.

Board members Miffy Ruggiero and Judy Johnson were among the leaders in the township who had lobbied for the building’s sale to the ARC even before they were elected to the board.

They expressed their appreciation on behalf of all of the entities in the township that wanted to see the building sold to the ARC. Both said they had received many calls and e-mails in behalf of the ARC, the Mount Olive Child Care and Learning Center as well as the Montesori School which is housed in the building.

The ARC, which provides special education and training for adults has been a tenant in the school for more than 20 years. The board had no need for it since it hadn’t been used for education in years and earlier this year when it was brought to their attention that the building was in need of extensive repairs the discussion started about what to do with it.

There was agreement from the outset that making repairs was not an option in light of the township’s current financial situation; tearing it down would have caused a lot of problems for those who had a sentimental attachment to the building as well as an additional cost; and the ARC’s desire to purchase it.

The ARC also had made clear its intention to bring the building up to code. Bill Testa, Morris County Arc’s executive director, has said upon completion of the sale new heating and air conditioning systems would be installed as well a replacing all the windows, repaving the driveway and whatever else needs to be done. He also said the plan is to keep the historic exterior of the building intact. A plus for the school board is it will get to keep for its use the ball field behind the building.

The ARC was the lone bidder at the public sale on November 1. The sale is still subject to approval by the State Department of Education, a formality, and the formal execution of the contract by Board President Larry McEntee and the Board Secretary, Lynn Jones.

The leases for all the occupants of the building were to expire next June.