Why Swartz Creek Turned Down a $40 Million Megasite Offer

SanDisk may have backed out of the Mundy Township Megasite project, but construction and demolitions continue. Today, only a handful of homes remain on Linden Road between Maple and Hill Roads. Morrish Elementary is still standing... at least for now.

Why the Swartz Creek School Board Voted No For Elementary Sale

The Swartz Creek School Board voted 5-2 this week to reject a $40 million offer from Mundy Megasite developers to purchase Morrish Elementary. But don't mistake that vote for the end of the conversation. It feels more like someone hit the pause button than the stop button.

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Board members said the biggest concern wasn't necessarily the money. Instead, they felt two weeks simply wasn't enough time to make one of the biggest decisions the district has ever faced. Before selling a school that serves roughly 400 students, they want to study enrollment trends, district finances, long-term facility needs, and whether building a replacement school is even the best option.

Mundy Township, Swartz Creek Residents Remain Divided Over Megasite Proposal

Residents packed the meeting, and opinions were split. Some argued that $40 million wouldn't come close to covering the cost of building a new elementary school in today's construction market. Others questioned why the district didn't make a counteroffer rather than rejecting the proposal outright.

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School Board President Chuck Melki says he's already spoken with representatives from the megasite project, and they're willing to give the district additional time if that's what it needs. That means negotiations may not be over.

How the Mundy Township Megasite Continues to Grow

Meanwhile, the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance says it still hopes to partner with Swartz Creek Community Schools as development of the Advanced Manufacturing District continues. The project now covers more than 1,300 acres, and supporters say it's expected to attract at least 2,000 jobs while generating approximately $2 billion in private investment for Genesee County.

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For now, Morrish Elementary isn't going anywhere according to ABC 12. But with megasite construction continuing just down the road, don't be surprised if another offer lands on the school board's table in the near future.