Crete-Monee School Board Approves $553,500 Sale of Monee Education Center

Crete-Monee Board of Education Meeting | December 16, 2025

Article Summary: The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, approved a resolution to sell the vacant Monee Education Center to Wee Care Christian Academy for $553,500. The decision followed a lengthy discussion regarding contract safeguards and the handling of earnest money should the deal fail to close.

Monee Education Center Sale Key Points:

• Sale Price: The board accepted a bid of $553,500 for the property located at 5154 W. Main St. in Monee.

• Earnest Money: The contract requires a $10,000 bid deposit and an additional $100,000 earnest money deposit within 10 days of execution.

• Board Debate: Members expressed concerns over potential refunds of the $100,000 deposit if the buyer cannot secure financing, insisting the district must cover all its legal and administrative costs first.

• Next Steps: The resolution authorizes the board president and secretary to execute a finalized contract subject to further legal review.

The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, moved forward with the sale of the Monee Education Center, accepting a $553,500 bid from Wee Care Christian Academy. The approximately four-acre property, which includes a vacant school building and parking lot, was previously declared unnecessary for district use.

While the board voted unanimously to approve the sale, the motion sparked significant debate regarding the protection of district funds. According to the Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreement, the purchaser must provide an additional $100,000 in earnest money following the initial $10,000 bid deposit.

Board member William “Bill” Swallish questioned provisions that might allow the buyer to recover the $100,000 if the deal falls through due to financing issues. Swallish emphasized that the district should not be “out one penny” for legal or administrative costs incurred during the process.

“We just need to make sure that we cover all of our costs associated with everything going on,” Swallish said. “If it’s $110,000 and our costs were $28,000, it would be [subtracted] just so the district’s not out.”

The board’s legal counsel clarified that while the $10,000 bid money is generally non-refundable if the purchaser fails to qualify for a loan by March 1, 2026, the additional $100,000 is subject to specific contract language currently being finalized.

Board member Dr. Todd Hall agreed with the need for strict safeguards, noting that the district has attempted to sell the property multiple times. “I’m remiss after we’ve gone through this now with them a third time at their request to give anything back,” Hall said.

District officials confirmed that the final contract would be reviewed to ensure the district is reimbursed for all expenses before any earnest money is returned to the buyer in the event of a default. The closing is expected to take place within 30 days after the finance contingency period ends, unless otherwise extended.