By Karen Haave
The Village of Monee has not purchased the vacant school building on Main Street. Not yet, anyway. The village has, in recent months, scooped up numerous properties needed for beautification or facilities expansion projects, but the Monee Education Center is not one of them.
Local residents began asking about the school, at 5154 W. Main Street, after seeing Monee cops playing basketball on the playground there. MPD has used the building for training sessions recently, and during downtime, or if they are waiting for training devices to recharge, they shoot hoops to pass the time until the next session.
Village Administrator Ruben Bautista confirmed the village has not purchased the aging school building, and said: “MPD received permission to use the gymnasium for their annual certification training they are mandated to receive.”
Dr. Kara Cognialese, superintendent for Crete-Monee Schools, told The Vedette that, after many discussions, the board of education opted to market the building, fraught with numerous health and Life Safety issues that made it unsuitable for children. Bringing it up to code likely would have been costly. A legal notice was published on January 30, 2024, she said, announcing the possibility of closing the school as a student attendance center on or around July 1. Three different public hearings were held, and public comments were permitted.
“Students and staff from Monee Education Center moved to the new south wing at Crete-Monee High School on January 8. Their last day at Monee Education Center was on December 21, 2023,” Dr. Cognialese stated.
“The Monee Education Center previously was used as a therapeutic environment for middle school and high school students. There were 31 students who were enrolled at MEC during the time of its closing. Those students now are located and enrolled through Crete-Monee High School’s Bridges program.
“The district decided to invest in an addition at the current high school and close the Monee Education Center building due to health, life, and safety violations cited at the property.” she explained.
“On April 16, at the Committee of the Whole meeting, the Board of Education discussed the sale and use of the proceeds from the sale of the building. Two options were presented and discussed.
“The school district still currently is reviewing their options in regard to the sale of the building, with hopes to have the property sold by this fall.”
In the meantime, local residents have some dreams for the property, including an indoor recreational center, with a walking path around the school.
The village has used the building in the past for its Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony after party and visits with Santa.
No list price was given for the building, and Dr. Cognialese did not say if the sale will be by bid or set price.