SOMERS POINT — The Somers Point School District has advertised space for lease at New York Avenue School and the city is considering utilizing some of the space.
Interim Superintendent Chris Kobik said the Board of Education sent out a request for proposals for leasing two floors of the building. Bid opening was scheduled for March 27.
“Persistently declining enrollment has left the school only partially occupied with administrative offices,” Kobik said.
He said the district has also been entertaining discussions with the city for possible shared services opportunities at 121 W. New York Ave.
The school is among the older buildings in the city, having been built in 1914. An addition was constructed in 1922 and it was refurbished in 2005.
The district currently uses the top floor for administrative offices and the rest for storage, but plans to move the offices to another district school.
Kobik said there is a deed restriction requiring it be used for educational purposes.
On March 14, City Council authorized seeking legal advice in executive session regarding the potential of leasing space at New York Avenue School from the Board of Education.
City Council President Janice Johnston said the school district does not need all of the space.
“We are in the very early stages of looking into what we could do to help the district,” Johnston said.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff