PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER – District bus driver and community member Dale Peterson shared his opinion with the board, supporting the sale of the property and welcoming the proposed children's home.

Nearly 30 community members filled the board room this week to share their views on the proposed sale of the former South Tama County Middle School, voicing both optimism and caution about what could become of the century-old building on South Green Street.

The public hearing, held Monday evening, is part of the required public process before the district can finalize any sale. No vote was taken and discussion followed in the regularly scheduled board meeting. Board members reiterated that another hearing will be held once a revised purchase agreement is published, likely in November or December, depending on public notice deadlines.

Public hearing recap

Board President Elizabeth Dolezal opened the hearing by outlining procedures and emphasizing that everyone would have three minutes to speak. The room included neighbors to the middle school property, Toledo city officials, and parents representing youth and recreation programs who use the middle school gym.

“This sale is something we’ve anticipated since 2022,” Dolezal said. “Not everybody’s going to agree on the same solution, and it’s a community resource that we have had for a great deal of time, so we’re here to listen today about how people feel about the proposed sale.”

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER – Kristen Donald was concerned with the gym. Sharing her sentiment that losing the middle school gym “isn’t something that the community would like."

The district has listed three parcels in Toledo: the main building, the green space to the East of the building, and the old football field. After months of discussion, one potential buyer — Southfork Premier Properties, LLC of Missouri — emerged with an offer to purchase the property for $20,100, proposing one of two redevelopment paths: an international school or a children’s home.

Community questions and concerns

Residents who spoke shared a mix of curiosity, support, and skepticism.

Several nearby homeowners said they wanted more information about the buyer and assurances that the project would not leave the neighborhood with a deteriorating structure.

“I just don’t want another issue like the Montour school in Toledo,” Robert Manfull said.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER – Parent, high school teacher, and rec board member Deanna Zmolek laid out her skepticism and highlighted the need for gym space in the community.

Others questioned what the building’s “end user” intends to do. “Is this going to be a school for older kids? For younger ones? What’s the purpose?” were all questions attendees asked. “We need to know who’s coming into our community.”

Both Toledo Mayor Brian Sokol and Toledo Economic Development Director Katherine Ollendieck spoke on behalf of the city.

“We just want to make sure the city and the school works together. We want to work together as neighbors, we don’t want this to be an eyesore in the middle of the community,” Sokol said. Mayor Sokol also shared his support for gym usage for the rec department and citizens of Toledo.

Sokol mentioned that the city had passed on two opportunities to bid on the building but would consider stepping in to save the gym in case of demolition.

Ollendieck participated in a meeting with the end user of the property in the proposed sale and spoke on that in her comments.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER – Toledo Mayor Brian Sokol made remarks in the hearing.

“I think a lot of the skepticism I had up until today’s meeting was very founded, and then after today’s meeting, I felt a little more optimistic. The person that we met with was obviously passionate about abandoned middle schools, abandoned buildings exactly like the one we were sitting on,” she said.

Ollendieck brought up the option of tying a bond into the purchase agreement.

“One of the things we talked about last week was, tying a bond to this so that this developer has to purchase a bond in case five, seven years from now, the building is still empty, the money would exist to be able to tear the building down,” she said.

By the end of her three minutes, Ollendieck voiced her support if the developer can follow through.

“If he can do what he says he’s going to do, it’s an incredible opportunity for the community,” she said.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER – Katherine Ollendieck spoke on behalf of the city of Toledo in her new position as Toledo Economic Director. Voicing support of the project from the city of Toledo if the developer can deliver as he intends.

Gym access tops local priorities

Several spoke about the importance of keeping gym space available for school and community use.

The draft purchase agreement includes a clause requiring the buyer to allow shared public use of the gym and outdoor recreation spaces through a perpetual lease with the City of Toledo. STC Superintendent John Cain said the buyer expressed support for that arrangement.

“He stressed over and over again that the gym should be utilized,” Cain said. “He made it clear that the community should keep using that space.”

Option one: A children’s home

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER – Sharon Manfull expressed concerns on the use of the gym, the building sitting vacant, and tax implications.

The more immediate redevelopment option calls for transforming the building into a residential children’s home, licensed through the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

“This is not a juvenile home — these are kids that are part of the state system,” Cain said.

Under the concept, classrooms would be remodeled into small living suites for groups of children. Those residents would attend South Tama County schools and participate in local programs.

The plan could serve 50 to 100 children, potentially increasing school enrollment and supporting local jobs.

“That’s an investment in our community,” Cain said.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER – Robert Manfull shared his concerns based on what happened to the Montour school.

Dale Peterson, a bus driver for the district and business owner, spoke passionately in support. “To be able to give those children a home is an incredible opportunity for this community,” he said. “We should embrace something that gives them love, care, and education.”

Others were more cautious, emphasizing safety and oversight in the proposed project.

Option two: An international school

The second proposal envisions creating an International School of Study, serving high-performing students from around the world. The program would bring both students and teachers to live on site, offering advanced academics and extracurricular programs.

“These are students whose families pay for international education opportunities,” Cain explained. “They’d live and study here, and the building would house classrooms, dormitories, and a cafeteria.”

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER – Kathy Holtz shared her respectful concerns with the sale and expressed being concerned with the unknowns.

The international school option would require more significant investment — likely several million dollars, according to Cain and Ollendieck — and could eventually use the old football field as a competition-level soccer and track complex. It was noted that the idea aligns with the buyer’s broader goal of repurposing unused school buildings across the Midwest.

“The first plan is good, but the second plan is better — it’s just a tougher project to pull off,” Ollendieck said.

Cain mentioned that the buyer has successfully developed similar properties in Missouri, Iowa, and South Dakota, each adapted to fit its local community.

Next steps

The district will now revise the purchase agreement based on input from the hearing and legal review before posting it again for public notice. Once published, another public hearing will be scheduled for later in the year.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER – Deb Williams asked about details of the proposed sale.

The hearing ended with Dolezal thanking the community members for attending and sharing the district’s vision.

“Our goal is to find a solution that strengthens both the school district and the Toledo community,” she said.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER – Near the end of the public hearing Superintendent John Cain answered questions regarding the proposed sale, addressing gym use, outcomes for the building, and the process of selling the building which has been in motion for over a year.