POLAND — The future of Poland Union School continues to be a hot topic.

“Right now it’s a $100,000 per year liability,” Poland Board of Education member Greg Riddle said at a board meeting this week. “But if it were a $2 million property bringing in tax dollars, that would be a positive.”

Riddle said his intent is to keep the fires burning on finding a use for Union. His ideal vision is to see it turned into high-end condominiums. He said apartments won’t fit the bill because condos would be owned, meaning the owners would take care of them.

“It has a fourth floor that could be a penthouse condo,” Riddle said. “The good Lord put me in this position for a reason. I signed up to serve and I see wasted money and a building that could be used for something good.”

According to Matt McKenzie, director of operations for Poland schools, an RFQ (request for quotes) had first been mentioned in 2022 through a joint venture between the school district and Poland Village. The RFQ was for the repurposing of the building and entire property.

“We will be discussing the details of expectations for the RFQ at the board meeting on Feb. 25,” McKenzie said. “There will be no action taken at that time, purely informational on the best use for the Union Elementary property.”

Riddle said he wants to let the wealthy residents of Poland know about the concept and hopes someone will step forward. He said the location of Union is close to amenities such as the downtown businesses, the Poland public library and more. It could make for an attractive place to live.

“I did want to see Union become condos so there is ownership,” Riddle said. “It will turn a negative into a positive.”

The Feb. 25 meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at Dobbins School. It is the meeting originally scheduled for Feb. 18, but McKenzie said it had to be moved.