School society OK'd for nonprofit status
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By Josh O'Gorman STAFF WRITER - Published: January 4, 2010
SPRINGFIELD — A group dedicated to preserving the North School and the accompanying recreation space is one step closer to taking over the property.
The North School Preservation Society has received nonprofit status from the state, and Society President Francine Provost is looking for volunteers to help keep the land open for recreation.
"We're putting out a call to arms," said Provost. "We're looking for people who want to contribute money and also donate time. We're here and we're looking for help."
The North School Preservation Society was born out of the North School Recreation Park Committee, which was created by the Springfield School Board in 2007. The school district owns the property, one of four properties the School Board is trying to dispose of.
The board is expected to ask voters at town meeting in March for permission to sell, give away or otherwise dispose of the North School, East School, Park Street School and Southview properties. Jean Willard, vice president of the North School Preservation Society, wants to make sure the 5.5-acre North School property doesn't fall into the hands of a developer.
"The present wording of the articles gives the board total control over the properties with no limitations, and that's what concerns us," Willard said. "We want people to realize this is an extremely important piece of land for recreation, not just for North Springfield but for the entire town."
The property contains a playground, an ice skating rink, a basketball hoop and a large field where fifth- and sixth-grade students have soccer practice.
School Board Chairman Larry Kraft has said numerous times he would like to give the property to a group that would preserve the land, and having gained the state's nonprofit status, the North School Preservation Society is free to apply for federal nonprofit status.
Provost said her group will apply electronically in January with the hope of having federal nonprofit status in time for town meeting.
"We hope to preserve the building and we might form an alumni group of North School graduates, but first and foremost we want to make sure the park isn't sold for development," Provost said.
More information about the North School Preservation Society can be found at its Web site nsvt.awardspace.us.
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
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