KTKA

It's official. Topeka Public Schools is the proud new owner of 155 acres of land near the former Topeka State Hospital.

With a few pen strokes, school board president Dr. Peg McCarthy and board clerk Joseph Zima signed a $2,000,000 deal to buy land for Topeka Public Schools. But why now?

"That's an excellent question, particularly in these times. The board thought heavily about whether this was the best use of our money at this time," said McCarthy.

She says now is the right time because the district has missed opportunities to expand because it hasn't had the land. But now, with room to grow, she says 501 can look at a number of ideas like an employee child care center, professional development space, or a new area to train students for "green jobs."

"The board, in recent board meetings, has initiated a strategic planning process and I'm sure the potential uses for this land will be part of this process," said Zima.

But also at recent meetings, the board has heard ideas on how to cut up to $12,000,000 from the budget, so where's the money coming from? 501 gets roughly $240,000 a year from its Pepsi contract. McCarthy says that should be enough to make the mortgage payment.

The district also says anything developed on the land will not come from funds that would otherwise go to students.

There is no timetable for any project yet.