East Ramapo school building sale stirs up controversy

A local resident has filed a petition with the state Education Department to block the sale of the former Colton Elementary School in Spring Valley, claiming the district never bothered to receive other bids for the building, instead agreeing to sell the building at far below its fair market value.
Carole Anderson says the sale of the building to Bais Malka Congregation doesn't follow the proper protocol that requires the district to seek out higher offers.
Anderson says the sale for the building at $6.6 million is far below the appraised value of $14 million.
This controversy comes just after the state canceled the sale of a different building in the district to a New Square Hasidic group.