Resolution locks in $3.85 million sale price
Westfield Washington Schools (WWS) has expressed an interest in purchasing the Westfield Washington Public Library at 333 W. Hoover St. The library’s current building and the 2.63-acre parcel it sits on originally belonged to the school district and was purchased by the library in 1983 to build the current building. The library plans to build a new library in downtown Westfield at Westfield Boulevard and Park Street next year.
“We’ve been in conversation with the library for months,” said Superintendent Paul Kaiser. “This property sits in the middle of our school campus, and with how fast Westfield is growing, it just makes sense to reabsorb it for additional educational opportunities.”
Cox
Kaiser
The school board unanimously approved a resolution that gives it permission to start discussing a purchase agreement with the library. A recent appraisal estimated the property’s value at $3.85 million. While the resolution does not obligate the school district to buy the property, it does lock in the price and prevents the library board from selling the building to anyone else.
“This resolution really just allows us to continue the conversation,” said WWS School Board President Jimmy Cox. “We would need to bring back a more formal purchase agreement to the school board for final approval.”
Before it can do that, the library board must finalize the purchase of its new property and put the project out for bid. All told, the process could take another 12 to 18 months.
Sollars
“We’re thrilled to put this building back in the hands of the school district and to continue our longstanding relationship in newer and stronger ways,” said Library Director Sheryl Sollars. “It’s truly a win-win for the entire community and a project everyone can support.”
About Westfield Washington Public Library
The WWPL mission is to foster exploration, discovery and growth, and its vision is to be the cornerstone of lifelong learning in Westfield and Washington Township. For more information on the Westfield Washington Public Library visit wwpl.lib.in.us.
About Westfield Washington Schools
Westfield Washington Schools is the fastest growing school district in the state. With an “A” rating from the Indiana Department of Education, WWS enrolled nearly 8,600 students in 2020-21 across six elementary, one intermediate middle and high school. The district employs more than 600 teachers and nearly 250 support staff. Westfield High School is ranked in the top 3 percent nationally by U.S. News and World Report and has a graduation rate of 98.3 percent with 86 percent of its graduates continuing onto higher education. For more information on Westfield Washington Schools visit wws.k12.in.us.