SF 552

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/03/2017 08:49am

A bill for an act
relating to education; regulating disposition of schoolhouses and sites following
schoolhouse closings; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.51,
subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.51, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Sites.

According to section 126C.40, subdivision 1, or 465.71, when
funds are available, the board may locate and acquire necessary sites of schoolhouses or
enlargements, or additions to existing schoolhouse sites by lease, purchase or condemnation
under the power of eminent domain; it may erect schoolhouses on the sites; it may erect or
purchase garages for district-owned school buses. When property is taken by eminent domain
by authority of this subdivision when needed by the district for such purposes, the fact that
the property has been acquired by the owner under the power of eminent domain or is already
devoted to public use, shall not prevent its acquisition by the district. new text begin Subject to subdivision
5b, new text end the board may sell or exchange schoolhouses or sites, and execute deeds of conveyance
thereof.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.51, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 5b. new text end

new text begin Municipality; priority to purchase. new text end

new text begin A board that makes a final decision to
close and dispose of a schoolhouse or site must offer to sell and convey the schoolhouse or
site to the municipality in which the property is located. The price for the property must be
determined by an appraiser selected by the board. The municipality must be given first
priority to purchase the property. If the municipality does not purchase the property after a
reasonable opportunity, the board may sell or exchange the schoolhouse or site as provided
in subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and
applies to all schoolhouse closings not yet completed on or after the date of enactment.
new text end