BOE approves six-month contract with Newmark, “educational entities” show interest
Interest in leasing the district's two available buildings, including Dickinson Avenue Elementary School, was discussed at the July 11 BOE meeting.
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At the July 11 Northport-East Northport board of education (BOE) meeting, the board passed a resolution to enter into a six-month contract with realty firm Newmark, who was first hired in November 2022 to represent the school district in the potential sale or lease of three school buildings.
The previous contract with Newmark, which expired on June 30, was amended in January 2024 to eliminate the sale provision and consider only options to lease the properties, with a focus on Dickinson Avenue Elementary School and Bellerose Avenue Elementary School.
The realty firm will “continue to pursue potential tenants to lease the vacant properties,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dave Moyer, adding that the district is “not entertaining the possibility of selling either property, nor would it do so without additional study and community input.”
According to Moyer, Newmark’s efforts have led to a number of leads and prospects who have toured the vacant district buildings; some have expressed interest in leasing the properties. “The district is currently working to solidify possible agreements that would allow these entities to assume occupancy in the buildings in the near future,” he said. Moyer confirmed that these prospects are educational entities.
Phyllis Lafauci, director of Huntington Montessori School on Pigeon Hill Road in South Huntington, briefly spoke in front of the board, stating that she proposed to lease Dickinson Avenue School and wanted to introduce herself. “I know you have my proposal and I’m looking forward to maybe talking about it,” she said. Because Lafauci is not a Northport-East Northport resident, she was unable to speak further on the matter during public participation.
To this date, Newmark has not received any compensation and “will not receive any compensation unless the district secures a lease agreement with a tenant,” Moyer said. The new contract with Newmark will reflect the same terms of the previous agreement and will not include the sale option for any property.
