It seemed questionable earlier this week, but the Kings County Office of Education will proceed with its planned move of its offices to an earlier purchased piece of property in Lemoore.

The county's education staff long ago outgrew current office space at 1144 W. Lacey Blvd., and searched "intensely" in Hanford -- finding nothing that would meet needs and budget -- before settling on a former racquetball facility on Bush Street in Lemoore, said county Superintendent of Public Instruction John Stankovich. The Lemoore property was purchased for $925,000. The contractor on the project, Bush Construction, has received all bids for the lease-lease-back construction method for the project, but the remodel of the racquetball facility has not yet begun.

At a meeting on Wednesday, board members discussed in detail whether they wanted to continue or pull out, search for another property, and be out the $400,000 that had so far been spent on the project (assuming the former racquetball facility was sold for the same price that it was purchased). In the end, three of the four present board members approved a notice to proceed with the project.

Steve Corl, county education assistant superintendent of business services, explained that constructing a new building from the ground up on a different piece of property would have a higher total project cost than remodeling the former racquetball facility, and funding that is available contingent on the conditions of the remodel would not be available in constructing a new building. He said the decision on Wednesday was the board's last chance to decide if they were in or out.

On Wednesday, Corl said the remodel would cost $5.7 million, with the county office of education needing to bring $138,762 from its reserves. At that property, there are two existing buildings -- one of which would be demolished and rebuilt, and one of which would be remodeled. Construction of a new building on a different property would cost nearly $7.3 million, but would require $2.67 million from reserves, Corl said.

"Are we at a point of no return?" asked Board Member John Boogaard, referring specifically to the dollar amount that had so far been spent on the project. "I don't think this is using taxpayer's money wisely. I went out there and the sidewalks are all broken and the place is a mess."

Boogaard -- the "no" vote -- added that he had talked to some staff members who didn't want to move offices to Lemoore. But Board Member Mickey Thayer said she had spoken to several teachers in Lemoore and Stratford who were "excited" about the accessibility of the new offices.

Corl said the next step is finalizing the contract with Bush, and demolition on the site could begin in the next 30 days. The office move is planned to take place by August 2009.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.