The Highland School Board has begun taking action on ridding the district of the Ainsworth Elementary building.

The board voted to publish two separate bid specifications on the building and the baseball fields for the public. The tentative due date for bid proposals is August 10 at 4 p.m. The board will then review the proposals at their next meeting August 14. If the board approves one of the proposals, a public hearing will then be scheduled for their September meeting. Superintendent Dr. Mike Jorgensen asks that a purpose for use be written on the submitted bid proposals. Board member Nate Robinson asked Jorgensen if this process is in accordance with board policy, to which Jorgensen said yes. Jorgensen then proposed to get an assessment on the Ainsworth building by Carl A. Nelson, “The one thing I have not really heard here yet is an objective point of view, so this would be an objective point of view.” The assessment would cost $2,275 and would come out of either SILO or PEPL funds. Board member Lois Schneider said about a proposed assessment, “I think it would be $2,000 well spent, just to know from all angles in the building. I mean, I think to make a good decision we need to know.”

Jorgensen said the assessment would be done before the bid opening. He said the downside is if those interested in purchasing the building change their minds after hearing what possible repairs are needed. The board voted 4-3 for an assessment.