Selling schools on eBay raises questions

[The Straight Story]

Selling schools on eBay raises questions
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March 20, 2009 - 10:04 PM
J.D. Bruewer

LIMA - Lima Schools Treasurer Ryan Stechschulte was surprised to see the former Roosevelt School on Spring Street sell for $70,300 on eBay on Wednesday, $40,000 more than it sold for in August.

"I was very surprised," Stechschulte said. "I'm also interested to see if whoever bought that, if they ever actually inspected the building before they bought it." He said the building needs some investment to repair problems, or should be torn down.

George Duncan, who bought it from the district for $30,000, was surprised too.

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The big question on many people's minds is why the district didn't sell the school on eBay to begin with.

"A lot of people, they don't understand the power of eBay," Duncan said.

Stechschulte said he didn't think the district could sell a building online.

"We have to put it up for auction," he said. "I don't know if the definition of auction means on eBay or if it has to go through a public auction."

Staff at the Ohio School Board Association and Attorney General's office weren't sure either. When called Thursday, staff at both organizations said the answer depended on the definition of public auction.

http://www.limaohio.com/news/ebay_35497___article.html/auction_district.html