Marinette School Board submits another counter offer for Garfield School

MARINETTE — The Marinette School Board voted Tuesday to issue a counter offer to an undisclosed buyer for the purchase of the former Garfield Elementary School, 1615 Carney Blvd.

The board met in closed session prior to its open session. Superintendent Corry Lambie said he could not provide any details on the matter, including who the buyer is, the purchase offer amount or the counter offer amount.

“Because the details are part of the negotiating process to potentially purchase public property, there unfortunately is not a lot of other information that can be shared at this time,” Lambie said.

Garfield Elementary School closed following the 2021-22 school year as part of the district’s right-sizing effort. The building is listed for sale for nearly $300,000. There is a deed restriction stating the building cannot be sold to another school.

St. Thomas Aquinas Academy attempted to purchase the building earlier this year at full price, but that was rejected by the board. In June, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) got involved and is assisting Cheryl Sporie, Frank Staggs and Fred Gard with a notice of claim against the school district.