MILAN -- Budget reductions and declining enrollments mean there is no reversing the decision to close the Milan Elementary School, but that doesn't mean that children will be absent from its hallways.
The laughter of children, the clang of pots and pans in the kitchen, and the whir of office machines will almost certainly return to the building this fall.
Lac qui Parle Valley School Board members approved an agreement at their meeting Monday night that will transfer ownership of the three-story building to Milan Initiatives, a nonprofit community group in Milan.
The asking price: $1.
"The board feels fortunate that there is an interest in keeping the asset in the community,'' said Superintendent of Schools Robert Munsterman.
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The citizens' group has plans to do exactly that, according to Chuck Waibel of Milan, one of the organizers of Milan Initiatives.
The Milan residents are taking on ownership of the school with as much entrepreneurial spirit as community spirit. Waibel said they plan to turn the building into an economic development center for the community, while also maintaining its role as a social center for the small town of just over 300 people.
He is part of a committee working on plans to launch value-added, food processing business ventures in the building. They intend to take advantage of the school's well-equipped kitchen and refrigeration system, as well as the abundance of locally raised produce from local farms.
There are also plans by a variety of existing businesses in the area to move their offices and operations into the building, Waibel said. One idea being looked at is equipping a central office with computers, copiers and other equipment. The equipment and possibly office support services could be provided at a fee to the businesses.
Waibel said rent from the businesses should cover the costs of operating the building.
There are also plans to reopen a child care center in the building and open the way for the Milan Village Arts School to expand its role in the building.
There are discussions too about opening and equipping a membership-based fitness center in the building.
Milan Initiatives also will make the building available at modest rental fees for traditional community events, everything from spaghetti dinner fundraisers to town or club meetings.
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Under the lease agreement, the Lac qui Parle Valley School District will continue using the school's gymnasium for junior high school sports practices. The district's community education department will also likely continue to offer classes and activities at the site.
A group of Milan residents organized Milan Initiatives earlier this year, shortly after the Lac qui Parle Valley School District made known its intent to close the building. Waibel said they wanted to preserve community control over the facility, and keep it as an asset to benefit the community.
Munsterman said those goals were very much in keeping with the wishes of school board members. The board members have also been impressed with the diligence with which the Milan citizens went about their work.
Waibel said it has been fun to see how many different people and interests in the community have come together on this project. It's also occurred to them that what is happening has importance beyond their community. "You know where the demographics are going,'' Waibel said.
