The Eugene 4J School District board voted this week to buy a downtown building for $2.9 million, hoping to use it as its main office location.The property, a former Wells Fargo bank building located at 99 E Broadway, would require an additional $10 million in renovations, according to 4J estimates, which was among the topics debated on Wednesday during a lengthy discussion held before the final vote to approve the purchase. Five board members voted in favor: Maya Rabasa, Judy Newman, Tom Di Liberto, Morgan Munro and Ericka Thessen. Two voted against it: Jenny Jonak and Rick Hamilton.
Jonak said she was “very much against” the purchase, arguing the district has higher-priority needs, such as more educational assistants and special education staff. She also listed some schools that require repairs and remodels, including Twin Oaks Elementary School and Kennedy Middle School.
“This is like splurging on a vacation home when you are still paying off your primary residence,” Jonak said during the meeting. “We have needs right now that are urgent. I think our resources should be focused on what can improve the student experience now.”