School district sues Indiana over building transfer for $1

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — West Lafayette Community School Corp. is suing the state to protect a vacant elementary school building from being sold or leased to a charter school for $1.

A 2011 law says charter schools can lease or buy the building for $1 if a school building is unused for two years. But the Department of Education must know beforehand.

The Journal and Courier reports that the district filed a lawsuit Thursday, naming Gov. Eric Holcomb as the defendant.

The school district's superintendent says the district didn't want to wait to protect what he called a community asset.

State Rep. Bob Behning, chairman of the House Education Committee, defended the law's concept.

Indiana Department of Education officials say the statute is aimed at giving charter schools access to public buildings.

Governor Holcomb's spokesman declined to comment.

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Information from: Journal and Courier, http://www.jconline.com