Almost two years ago, construction equipment razed the last school buildings in Gilbert, leaving the stretch of Summit Street vacant and untouched.

That was until Monday, when the Rock Ridge school board agreed to sell the land to CCC Properties for $157,900. The company is part of CCI Properties in St. Paul, which specializes in preserving spaces and developing housing projects.

Rock Ridge, which has tried to sell the buildings and property since the schools closed in 2022, received what the board called “full asking price” for the site.

The district’s buildings and grounds committee approved the sale last week, and it received unanimous approval Monday.

“He intends to hopefully develop it for housing,” said Director Nicole Culbert-Dahl, who abstained from voting. Another real-estate agent for Culbert Realty brokered the sale. “This could be great for us and the city of Gilbert.”

Since consolidating the Eveleth-Gilbert and Virginia districts in 2020, Rock Ridge built new schools in Midway and Virginia, closing the Eveleth and Gilbert campuses.

What to do with the old buildings was a point of contention for years between the school board and some members of the public.

The aging structures had asbestos concerns, roofing problems and were costly to heat, but represented a nostalgia for when the Iron Range and its cities were thriving.

A number of parties expressed baseline interest in that span, said Superintendent Dr. Noel Schmidt, but nearly all failed to put a meaningful effort forward.

“This has been a long road,” he said. “We were talking to the city and going back and forth with people over the years. This is the only offer you have received with some real dollars and financial backing for it.”

Rock Ridge eventually sold the Eveleth land to the city, and most of the buildings have since been demolished as Eveleth officials chart a path forward.

Gilbert officials weighed acquiring the land and buildings in their city, but ultimately declined.

Since demolishing the buildings, the school district has maintained the property and cut the grass, said Director John Uhan. CCC Properties came in with an asking-price offer, no contingencies and financing from Members Cooperative Credit Union.

“He wants to develop it,” said Director Tim Riordan, of the new owner. “Now you have outside money instead of the city trying to do it.”

Other News & Notes

• During the reorganization meeting, John Uhan was elected as chairperson, Lisa Westby was elected vice chair, Nicole Culbert-Dahl as clerk, Brandi Lautigar as treasuer and Jennifer Bonner was alternate clerk.

• Approved removing Columbus Day as a school holiday by a 5-2 vote. Lisa Westby and Jodi Westby voted against.

• In the regular meeting, the board heard a presentation about Rock Ridge hosting two hockey games (Jan. 20 and Jan. 30) that will be broadcasted in the Ojibwe language through various partnerships. The effort was organized by Maria Poderzay, Indigenous Education Director, Meredith TwoCrow, President of AIPAC, and Paul Gregersen, executive director of CHAIR.

• Video of the Rock Ridge meeting and the unofficial summary of minutes are provided by Rock Ridge.

• On Tuesday, Schmidt emailed parents that a North Star Elementary student was removed from the building after making comments about bringing a gun to school. “There is no threat or danger to anyone in the building,” Schmidt said. “Nor do I believe there was ever any intent behind the inappropriate statements.” Read the full letter.