Orland High School District 230 has canceled its plans to purchase a property at 10608 W. 163rd St. for $3 million, a decision made during a recent board meeting. The termination of the purchase agreement comes after a 60-day due diligence period, during which the district assessed the financial implications of the acquisition. According to Jennifer Waterman, the district’s director of communications, the property was intended to house the maintenance department while potentially serving other functions, such as office space or a training center.
The board’s reconsideration followed a cost analysis from architects and engineering firms that revealed higher-than-expected expenses associated with the building’s occupancy. Waterman stated, “The costs of occupying the building for the building and maintenance department were higher than anticipated, and any future potential building plans would not be in the district’s best financial interests.”
The proposed purchase had been under consideration since October 2022, with the district initially planning to finance it through the sale of a 36-acre property on South 108th Avenue for $2.57 million. However, discussions regarding the sale of the Willow Grove property stalled in September, preventing the district from securing the necessary funds.
Financial Concerns Surrounding Property Acquisition
During a board meeting in June, some members expressed urgency about selling the Willow Grove property to facilitate the purchase of the 163rd Street location. Board member Susan Dalton emphasized the risk of losing the opportunity to another buyer, stating, “If the district lost to another buyer, we are back to square one, and I think it could be a long time to find something that would actually work for us.”
District Superintendent Robert Nolting pointed out that the current maintenance facilities are inadequate, operating from a residence built in the 1960s without essential utilities like electricity and drinkable water. He believed that acquiring the 163rd Street property could provide a better environment for the maintenance department and potentially accommodate various district programs, including adult learning initiatives and career readiness programs.
Despite Nolting’s optimism, some board members expressed reservations. Mohammed Jaber argued for a more strategic approach, suggesting that the $2.5 million appraisal from June was insufficient. He believed the district should aim for a higher sale price for Willow Grove to better fund the purchase of the 163rd Street property. Jaber voted against both the Willow Grove pricing and the 163rd Street acquisition, stating, “I feel like we need to show everyone that we have tried to squeeze as much money out of Willow Grove as possible.”
The Willow Grove property consists of four structures, including two warehouses and a residence, built between 1960 and 2006. A recent appraisal rated the storage building as poorly conditioned, indicating significant disrepair, while the other structures received fair to average ratings, which Nolting deemed unsatisfactory.
As the district navigates its financial landscape, it now faces the challenge of finding alternative solutions for its maintenance needs and potential program spaces. District 230 serves students from Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park, and Amos Alonzo Stagg High School in Palos Hills, underscoring the importance of securing adequate facilities for its operations.
