City explores acquisition of South Bend Community School Corporation administration building

City Explores Acquisition of South Bend Community School Corporation Administration Building
Posted on 01/24/2022
Administration Building

The City of South Bend and South Bend Community School Corporation have begun conversations about the possible sale of the South Bend Community School Corporation administration building at 215 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to the City of South Bend.

"Just as we continue to assess our school buildings' facilities and space needs, it only makes sense that we do the same for our administration building,” said Superintendent Dr. Todd Cummings. “If this building is not being used at full capacity, the financially responsible decision is to sell it and move to a more suitable space so we can put more money into classrooms and focus on academic gain."

“As our partnership with South Bend Schools continues to grow, we are grateful for the collaboration to right-size both of our building footprints,” said Mayor James Mueller. “This potential move would streamline operations and costs for our schools, while also consolidating City offices spread across multiple locations.”

The South Bend Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees approved a resolution of intent to sell the building at its meeting on Monday, January 24. The resolution will be followed by an application to the Indiana Attorney General for approval of certification of the sale. If the certification is approved, SBCSC and the City of South Bend could then move forward to approve resolutions authorizing the sale.

If the sale proceeds, the City of South Bend will move its offices from the County-City Building to the newly acquired building.

Financial consideration for the purchase of the building is still being negotiated.

"The need to right-size the district was one of the primary goals we had with the passage of the referendum. We will continue to evaluate and assess the entire corporation with that in mind, and promote cost-savings wherever possible,” said Kareemah Fowler, Chief Financial Officer for South Bend Community School Corporation. “The sale of the administration building to the City of South Bend makes great financial sense for long-term savings and cost avoidance."

“The prospect of moving City offices to the current SBCSC Administration Building is a great example of governments working together to gain efficiencies and reduce costs for all involved,” said City Controller Dan Parker. “This potential move will financially benefit both organizations, which ultimately results in better stewardship of taxpayer resources across the board.”

Press Contacts

South Bend Community School Corporation - Susan Guibert, Chief Communications Officer, [email protected]

City of South Bend - Caleb Bauer, Communications Director, 574.235.5853, [email protected]