Springfield district's Tefft expected to sell for $10, become Family Justice Center
Claudette Riley
The Springfield school board is expected to vote Tuesday to sell its Tefft building, which is empty, to Greene County.
The price tag: $10.
Nearly three months ago, Prosecutor Dan Patterson, flanked by Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams, made public a plea to turn the historic former school — 1.3 miles from the courthouse — into the permanent home for the Greene County Family Justice Center.
The relatively new center started in a small, temporary location. All services are free and available to victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault and trafficking, elder abuse, child abuse, emotional abuse, legal and economic abuse.
"In the past, Tefft was a place that inspired hope for the children who went there," said Patterson at the April 23 board meeting. "In the future, we believe it can inspire hope for the survivors that we serve."
From the beginning, the board has been supportive of the option.
"Our buildings were built to serve children and families and the opportunity this group has presented to us allows us to continue to do that," said Tim Rosenbury, president of the school board. "The whole idea of ... providing services to victims, especially of family issues, is badly needed in our community."
In late May, the board declared Tefft as "surplus" property, clearing the way for it to be sold, leased or gifted to a new owner.
In recent years, the board developed a process for disposing of property — especially its former school buildings — no longer needed by the district. The board requests proposals and gives weight to how the property will be used and the potential impact on the Springfield community.
"The board's responsibility is the best use to the community," Rosenbury said.
Last week, the Greene County Commission voted to buy the 1.96-acre property at 1418 E. Pythian St., which includes the multi-story 20,694-square-foot school built in 1914.
Tefft has not been used as an elementary school in recent decades. In 2002, the district attempted to sell the building but did not receive any bids. It remained in use until three years ago, primarily providing office space.
Rosenbury said the district's ability to sell the property would have been complicated by a long-term lease. "The site is somewhat encumbered."
The O'Reilly-Tefft Gymnasium, managed by the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, was built next to Tefft. The 25-year lease, which runs through mid-2024, is expected to be honored by the new owner.
Patterson said the adjacent gym is a plus and, if Tefft is obtained, he hopes the center will be able to partner with the park board and the nearby Stalnaker Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield.
The district and the county are splitting the closing costs on the former school and property, which appraised for $325,000 in June 2017. The appraisal did not include the gym.
Asked why the sale price was $10, Rosenbury said the exact amount is arbitrary: "Any observer would say the district is gifting this property to the county."