7/10/14 - Following news that a developer had backed out of a deal to buy a vacant elementary school in Brighton, officials are in talks that could place a charter school there. Bloomfield Hills-based Robertson Brothers Homes notified Brighton Superintendent Greg Gray last week that it was withdrawing its offer to purchase the Lindbom School site on State Street. Gray says the developers had been counting on state brownfield redevelopment funds to pay for the demolition of the school, which is estimated to cost $250,000. When they didnât qualify, it made their $1.35 million offer financially unfeasible. But he says while thatâs disappointing, especially because they had hoped the new homes that were planned would potentially bring new students into the district, they are now working on Plan B. Gray will be meet next week with representatives from American Classical Academies. The charter school operators previously offered $1.45 million for the property. Gray tells WHMI that while a charter school was not their first choice, itâs also not something that should be seen as a negative for the district. "We have charter schools in Brighton presently and I'm of the belief that there are different situations for all kids and whatever parents choose to do in regards to educating their kids, we support." Gray said that whatever the outcome of the discussions next week with American Classical Academies, the district is still on track to completely eliminate its deficit by July 1st of 2015. He says the Lindbom sale was not included in the most recent deficit-elimination plan submitted to the state. (JK)
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