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This article was published 15/2/2019 (585 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Pembina Trails votes yes on Chapman sale

The Pembina Trails School Division board has voted to accept an offer to purchase the former Chapman School at 3707 Roblin Blvd.

During a public meeting on Feb. 14, six trustees voted in favour of the offer made by Tuxedo Lands Ltd. and two trustees, Gerry Melnyk and David Johnson, voted against. Board chair Jaime Glenat abstained from voting as her family owns property near the school.

A previous decision made by the board to sell the property to a church group, Iglesia Ni Cristo Church of Christ, was rejected by the Public Schools Finance Board in 2018.

An appeal was launched but the decision by the Finance Board was upheld by the Minister of Education and Training, who instructed the board to list the property again and accept the highest bid with no sale conditions on the property.

"It would appear that the provincial government has chosen not to honour tradition that has been followed for 50 years plus in the sale of schools," Melnyk said ahead of the vote. "I’m voting against this motion just on the basis of truth and power, we followed all of the processes and the government decided to meddle and interfere with our decision and reject the community values that we were honouring."

When the property was first placed on the market, members of the public expressed concerns about a residential development on the site.

Because of this, the Pembina Trails board rejected an offer by Karma Developments Corp. — which is owned by Marc Kipnes and Myles Kraut, according to the province’s business registry. Kipnes and Kraut are also listed as the owners of Tuxedo Lands.

The division received six offers to purchase during the second posting.

Tuxedo Lands’ offer will now be sent to the Public Schools Finance Board for approval.

The Pembina Trails School Division board has voted to accept an offer to purchase the former Chapman School at 3707 Roblin Blvd.

During a public meeting on Feb. 14, six trustees voted in favour of the offer made by Tuxedo Lands Ltd. and two trustees, Gerry Melnyk and David Johnson, voted against. Board chair Jaime Glenat abstained from voting as her family owns property near the school.

A previous decision made by the board to sell the property to a church group, Iglesia Ni Cristo Church of Christ, was rejected by the Public Schools Finance Board in 2018.

An appeal was launched but the decision by the Finance Board was upheld by the Minister of Education and Training, who instructed the board to list the property again and accept the highest bid with no sale conditions on the property.

"It would appear that the provincial government has chosen not to honour tradition that has been followed for 50 years plus in the sale of schools," Melnyk said ahead of the vote. "I’m voting against this motion just on the basis of truth and power, we followed all of the processes and the government decided to meddle and interfere with our decision and reject the community values that we were honouring."

When the property was first placed on the market, members of the public expressed concerns about a residential development on the site.

Because of this, the Pembina Trails board rejected an offer by Karma Developments Corp. — which is owned by Marc Kipnes and Myles Kraut, according to the province’s business registry. Kipnes and Kraut are also listed as the owners of Tuxedo Lands.

The division received six offers to purchase during the second posting.

Tuxedo Lands’ offer will now be sent to the Public Schools Finance Board for approval.