The Nebraska City School Board set an asking price of $199,000 for the vacated Northside school building and 5.1 acres of land with a deadline of Dec. 13. If the 42-year-old building is not sold over the next eight weeks, it will be demolished in the spring.

Nebraska City voters approved a $230,000 bond issue in October of 1966 to build the school, which became the first elementary school built here since Second Avenue school was built prior to World War II.

School superintendent Sam Metcalf announced plans for the new school in October of 1965. He sent its circular design to the state education department and teachers’ groups for input. The school board began construction of “the pods” before the bond was passed and said they would continue building whether the bond passed or not.

Architects Shaver and Co. said the pod design would allow the school to add on sections whenever needed.

It was promoted as an innovative approach to school building and modern efficiency, but by 2008 Nebraska City School Board members described it as dysfunctional and suggested construction of a new, $7.5 million elementary school.

Bret Allgood of the buildings and grounds committee asked the board to decide whether to winterize the building to preserve it or just prepare for demolition.

The board agreed to offer the building for sale. A listing price of $100,000 was discussed, which is also the estimated cost of demolition. Tom Farrell said the asking price of the property will be higher when the building is not there. Farrell said straightening 12th Avenue and building a cul de sac will cost another $100,000, but it will make the land available for 15 buildable lots. The board agreed to list the school at $199,000 noting the lots near an elementary school.