The Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education has accepted an offer from Gary Parr of Parr Sound & Lighting to buy the former Central Kitchen for $100,000. The property was appraised at $230,000 when bids were sought with that as a reserve price the district received no bids. Assistant Superintendent John Popp recommended accepting the offer when the board met Wednesday.

“I don’t see any reason to not accept the contract,” Popp said.

The building is sold in “as is” condition, he noted. Other individuals looked at the property but thought it would cost too much to remodel for their purposes.

After completing the Support Services Building and the new District Education Center/Little Panthers Preschool, the board approved selling three buildings it no longer needed: the former Maintenance Building/Bus Barn at 2019 12th St., the former District Education Center at 201 S. Patton Road, and the former Central Kitchen at 2201 Broadway. 

With this contract, the district has now sold its three surplus properties and expects the sales on each to be closed in mid-December.

Approval of Man Lift Purchase 

The board also approved the purchase of a man lift for $13,174 from Equipment Share. The maintenance department requested the purchase to replace an existing unit that is 17 years old. The current lift has aging hydraulics, a worn-out battery, and older outrigger sensors, Superintendent Khris Thexton said. The man lift is used regularly for tasks such as changing lights and maintaining facilities.