BLUE EARTH — The Blue Earth Area School Board has approved the sale of the former Winnebago High School building to the city of Winnebago.

If the city approves the deal, it will bring an end to negotiations between the two entities dating back to last fall.

A couple of issues that had been holding up the deal have been resolved, clearing a path for the sale to be finalized.

One concern was mold that had been found in one of the locker rooms. The school district hired a contractor to remove the mold, and a ventilation fan was repaired, which should prevent more problems.

Two elevators that had been powered down were reactivated, inspected and are ready for operation.

Finally, a list of equipment that identified any items belonging to Blue Earth Area Schools and what items will remain at the site was completed.

The closing date of the agreement is Nov. 1, pending completion of the building project in Fairmont currently under way by Southern Plains Education Cooperative. It is the current tenant of the former high school.

Board member Jeremy Coxworth, also a member of the co-op board, reported that building plans at the former Lincoln School in Fairmont are proceeding on schedule.

In other business, interim Superintendent Dr. Jerry Jensen gave an updated enrollment report to the board.

There are 1,005 students enrolled in grades K-12 at Blue Earth Area, with 442 students in grades K-5. The middle school has an enrollment of 166. The high school has 397 students. The enrollment on Oct. 1 was 1,019.