Detroit Public Schools hold online auction of surplus items
Posted:
Updated:
Detroit's now closed Southwestern High School
Items up for bid can be seen at www.biddergy.com
DETROIT (AP) -- Tennis rackets, at least two pianos, science lab microscopes and a battery-powered scooter are among dozens of surplus items that will be auctioned off from Detroit's closed Southwestern High School.
The online auction is a pilot program that began at 8 a.m. Thursday. Users can log on to www.biddergy.com to view items. The auction ends at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Money raised will be used to help the cash-strapped public school district pay down its $75 million budget deficit.
Surplus school items have been auctioned off in the past, but not online, according to Eric Dunatchik, executive director of inventory management for the district.
"All that material would be moved to the central warehouse and then we'd have a more traditional live auction," Dunatchik said.
Dunatchik said Wednesday he was not sure how much will be raised through the auction, but said about $85,000 in moving costs is expected to be saved by not trucking the items to the warehouse.
Since 2009, more than $11 million has been raised from the sale of vacant school properties and annual leases.
The district showcased 22 school buildings and sites in May during a daylong real estate purchasing conference for investors, developers and builders.
"It's critically important that we seize every opportunity to identify areas of savings, no matter the size or scope, that have no negative effects on students, and we are actively reviewing all inventory procedures throughout the district as one such area," state-appointed emergency financial manager Roy Roberts said. "This auction at Southwestern is the perfect example of that, saving us upward of $80,000 in transportation costs alone. And DPS' comprehensive real estate efforts include professionally and creatively marketing excess property like this building for sale, and protecting and disposing of unneeded assets."
Other items up for bid Thursday include commercial kitchen and laundry appliances, lockers, metal sinks, fans and baseball equipment.
Dozens of Detroit schools have closed as enrollment in the district plummeted by nearly 100,000 students over the past 10 years.
Southwestern was among eight schools slated for closure this year.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:25:11 GMT
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:58 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:58:06 GMT
Gallery on the Boulevard is now open to the public. The restored 1918 residence, located in the Historic District of Pontiac's West End, is now home to wonderful works of art.
Gallery on the Boulevard is now open to the public. The restored 1918 residence, located in the Historic District of Pontiac's West End, is now home to wonderful works of art.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:47 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:47:40 GMT
The National Weather Service has extended a tornado warning for northwestern Sullivan County in central New York. The warning is in effect until 2:15 p.m.
The National Weather Service has extended a tornado warning for northwestern Sullivan County in central New York. The warning is in effect until 2:15 p.m. Anyone in the path of the tornado, seek shelter in a basement or an interior room away from windows.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:10:42 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:23 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:23:21 GMT
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race.
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race. A poll released Wednesday placed Weiner in second place behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a Democratic primary.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:10 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:10:21 GMT
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:42:24 GMT
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.
Detroit's now closed Southwestern High School
Items up for bid can be seen at www.biddergy.com
