The former Northwest School building could have a new owner as early as Friday.

The Marshall Public Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday, Sept. 9 to proceed with a deal allowing the Marshall-Saline Development Corporation to assume ownership of the building, with designs for the former grade school to serve as a childcare hub. Supt. Caleb Petet says the updated deal with MSDC is now a land swap.

While all five board members present voted in support of the deal, board member Jack Lenz expressed skepticism about the value and usefulness of the two lots that Marshall Schools will take possession of. Petet acknowledges that while he envisions a potential use for them, no plans have been committed to.
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Petet adds that the new deal will require MSDC to complete repairs to the building’s roof within nine months, and grants Marshall Schools the right of first refusal should MSDC decide to put the building on the market in the future.

Also at Tuesday night’s meeting, the board accepted the low bid for paper supplies from Green Printers, totaling $31,900.