Nadvorna Rebbe fights for East Scranton school
An offer of $500,000 for the former East Scranton Intermediate School is reason enough for Lackawanna County Court to deny its proposed sale to a New York City rabbi for $400,000, the rival bidder argues in court papers.
Madison School Properties LLC, a company led by businessman Paul Mansour, is challenging the Scranton School District's petition to sell the closed Quincy Avenue school to Rabbi Alter Rosenbaum.
A hearing on the petition is scheduled April 23 before Judge Carmen Minora.
Under state law, school districts must receive court approval before disposing of property at a private sale to ensure the price is reasonable and a better offer could not be obtained at a public sale.
In its objection, Madison School Properties said the district's petition is defective "on its face" since the company's interest in buying the school for $500,000 "evidences that a higher offer could be obtained at public sale."
The company said it "has offered and remains willing" to purchase the school for $100,000 more than the district would get under its contract with Rabbi Rosenbaum.
The School Board voted unanimously Aug. 28 to sell East Scranton Intermediate to the rabbi, the leader of a Nadvorna Hasidic community in Brooklyn.
He plans to use the property as a school for families who would relocate to Scranton from Brooklyn.
The board received the $500,000 offer from Madison School Properties a month later.
Mr. Mansour has said he is considering turning the school into apartments or condos.
Attorney Matthew Barrett, who represents Madison School Properties, said the company's court filing speaks for itself.
"They filed their petition. We filed our objection. The hearing is April 23, and we'll prepare for the hearing," he said.
The district's solicitor, Harry McGrath, said he anticipates filing a response before the hearing.
Efforts to reach Rabbi Rosenbaum and his attorney, Justin Sulla, were unsuccessful Tuesday.
If the court denies the petition to sell the school to Rabbi Rosenbaum, it is expected the district would then seek sealed bids for the property.
http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18076187&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=415898&rfi=6
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Posted By Chaptzem to Chaptzem Blog! at 3/14/2007 09:47:00 AM
