[Nfb-or] Here is the latest news from the OSB front.

[Kendra Schaber]

http://www.thelundreport.org/resource/salem_hospital_eyes_school_for_the_blind


Salem Hospital Eyes School for the Blind 
Oregon's legislature will decide the school's fate when it meets in February 
By: Diane Lund-Muzikant




January 14, 2010 -- 


Salem Hospital and Willamette University are interested in purchasing the Oregon School for the Blind, reliable sources have told The Lund Report. Both declined to comment.     
A Willamette University spokesman said the school "may potentially be interested if the property goes up for sale," but declined to comment further.

The school, which is located near the hospital and university, closed last summer. Consultants have been hired by the Department of Administrative Services to evaluate whether the school should be sold outright or its dilapidated buildings torn down first, according to Lonn Hoklin, the governor's public relations spokesperson. "The goal is to maximize the return," he said.

The consultant's report, which will include an appraisal, should be completed when the legislature convenes in February so that a decision can be made, he added.

House Education Chairwoman Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis), an advocate for disabled students, led the effort to close the 135-year-old school.

If Salem Hospital becomes its new owner, some people in the community question how the hospital could come up with the financing.

Last November its CEO, Norman Gruber, sent his staff a memo announcing cutbacks of $9 million in 2010, which unleashed a hailstorm. Salem residents called the hospital a country club because of its expensive artwork and furnishings, new construction and bad planning decisions.

After losing $2 million in September and facing losses last summer as well, Gruber told his staff he might have to close or sell the hospital's home health agency because of declining revenues. 

"Going forward, however," he wrote, "we are operating with a negative margin unless we make a course correction."  END
















PS:  Julie McEvoy, please send your new email again!  Lynn