Oak Harbor schools agree to buy Alaska Federal Credit Union building

"Monday night, the Oak Harbor School Board unanimously agreed to buy the Alaska Federal Credit Union building on Oak Harbor Road. The $1.8 million purchase will allow the district to relocate its administrative offices, as well as other programs such as Head Start and alternative education classes.Indirectly, the board's decision also clears the way for Alaska Federal to move forward on its purchase of property on Midway Boulevard where the Kow Korner Drive-In and Hole-Bit Tak Rak now stand. The credit union plans to build a new 6,000-square-foot branch on the site.Alaska Federal's current 28,000-square-foot building was built in 1976 as Whidbey Federal Credit Union. When Alaska Federal took over and moved its customer service center to Alaska, much of the building was left vacant. It has been for sale for about three years.The school board held public meetings prior to the purchase, but heard little opposition, board vice president Kathy Jones said.It seemed to meet a lot of the district's needs. I think we made a good move, she said.In addition to the purchase price, the district plans to spend $1.2 million on renovations including a new roof, new heating and ventilation systems and other work to bring the building up to current school building codes. The total cost of the purchase and remodeling will come from the district's capital projects fund. None of a proposed districtwide maintenance and operations levy set for the ballot in May would be used for the purchase."

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