Glen Montessori Agrees to Buy Perrysville Elementary

Perrysville Elementary School at 950 Perry Highway will be sold to the nonprofit Glen Montessori School for $660,000 under terms of a preliminary agreement reached with officials.

Conditions of the sale include a provision that the nonprofit will not seek an exemption from property taxes, according to David Hall, director of finance and operations for the district.

“We are going to have a steady stream of revenue from that building going forward,” Hall said.

The proposed sale price is equal to the building’s appraised value.

The North Hills School Board agreed to wrap up negotiations for the sale of the building during its May 23 meeting. District administrators hope to complete the sales agreement in a few weeks after the building is inspected and Glen Montessori's staff consults with Ross Township officials about plans for its use.

The Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas also must review and approve the agreement after a public hearing, said Timothy Eller, a spokesman for the state Department of Education.

The court will require a petition that includes a description of the property and the opinions of two people who are not affiliated with the sale but are qualified to confirm the purchase price as fair market value.

The school hopes to close the sale on Sept. 1, Hall said.

“Essentially they have to make sure the building will be a valuable purchase that fits their need,” he said. “However, the reality is we are pretty much in agreement for the sale of the building.”

Glen Montessori, a private nonprofit school based in Kilbuck Township, plans to use the building as a school. 

School officials did not return phone messages left last week and this week seeking comment. 

Glen Montessori School offers educational programs for infants to sixth-graders. Founded in 1986, it uses self-directed learning techniques that Maria Montessori developed, according to the school’s website. 

The closed in 2010 and shifted students to , and McIntyre elementary schools as part of a plan to consolidate seven elementary schools into four larger buildings.

Built in 1924, the three-story structure temporarily housed fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders this year during renovations of Ross Elementary. That building’s renovations are on schedule, and it will re-open  Sept. 6 for the first day of the 2011-2012 school year, Hall said.

The Perrysville building has 14 classrooms and additional educational spaces. 

Glen Montessori was one of more than 10 potential buyers who toured the property after district officials sent letters to alert at least 30 real estate agents that it was for sale, Hall said.