School board approves sale of 1212 Baker St. to city for workforce housing partnership

The Albany County School District #1 board voted May 14 to accept the city's $525,000 offer to purchase the district's 1212 Baker Street (Old Slade) property, a decision trustees framed as a partnership to create workforce housing.

Doctor Goldhart presented the city's counteroffer options and said he would be comfortable recommending either the $725,000 or $525,000 offer; the board chose to consider the single property sale. Trustee Carrie Murphy and others argued the transaction supports workforce housing for educators and other essential workers and helps with teacher recruitment and retention. "Workforce housing creates lasting value, for our district," one trustee said.

Fred Schmeichel (project presenter) explained the tentative concept: multiple community partners would collaborate to build homes with qualifying criteria that could reserve a number of units for partner employees. He said the model may include deed restrictions to cap appreciation (the proposal cited a 4% cap to preserve long‑term affordability) and that partners would negotiate exact qualifying rules and unit allocation in subsequent agreements.

Trustees asked about the effect of the district's contribution on federal grant eligibility and whether foundation fundraising could lower reliance on federal sources. Schmeichel said the proposal was designed to keep per‑unit costs below thresholds that would maintain eligibility for certain federal funding and that philanthropic and partner contributions could affect financing.

After discussion and a roll‑call vote, the board accepted the city's $525,000 offer (motion passed). Trustees asked staff to continue negotiating the specific partnership terms, unit allocations and any deed restrictions in subsequent agreements.