Fremont schools, Lake Co. forest district explore land swap

The term "win-win" is so overused it's become a cliché - but it's a perfect description for a planned land swap in central Lake County.

The proposed pact, between the Fremont Elementary District 79 school board and the Lake County Forest Preserve District board, calls for the two agencies to exchange property coveted by the respective recipients.

Both sites are near Fremont Middle School along Fremont Center Road.

The school district will receive 21 acres the forest district recently acquired in a separate deal. The forest district will receive 43 acres school officials can't build on because they contain wetlands.

The school district eventually will use the property it's receiving for building expansion, officials said. The forest district will use its acquisition to expand the Ray Lake Forest Preserve.

The school district also will give the forest district $230,000. That's the difference between the appraised values of the two sites.

Additionally, forest district officials promise to work with the District 79 education foundation to expand its outdoor educational programs.

The school board approved the deal Monday. The forest board could make it official at its next meeting on Nov. 10.

"The agreement is a perfect example of two governmental bodies working together for the benefit of our residents," District 79 Superintendent Rick Taylor said in a news release.

Forest district board member Diana O'Kelly, whose Mundelein-area district includes the Fremont schools, was excited about the educational opportunities the swap will offer.

Having more land available for new classrooms or other facilities will be a benefit, too, she said.

"They're going to be prepared for the future for any growth that's going to come," O'Kelly said.