JIM MASON'S OFFER TO: TAXPAYERS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS OF DEKALB SCHOOL DISTRICT 428 January 5, 2023 To: This letter is to all taxpayers, parents and students in DeKalb from Jim Mason Dear Residents of District 428; this is a chance to really get involved an make a difference. It has been brought to my attention that District 428 needs more classroom space, because so many students are coming from out of District, of which I am very aware. With this situation in mind, I bought 315 N 6th St, DeKalb, the old Camelot school/Farm Bureau Building. It is a perfect building to fit District # 428 space needs for the lowest long term cost maybe in the United States. It is a # 33,000 square foot building, with 30 classrooms, and a gigantic 48' x 84' auditorium on the first floor. It has extra space with a 72' x 38-foot auditorium in the basement which was formerly used as a gymnasium. The building is surrounded by easy access roads from anywhere in DeKalb. It has, additionally, two large parking lots on the North and South side plus space for additional playground equipment. When I bought this building with its large office space, wide hallways, and convenient access, I considered that District # 428 may have a future need for space for students and families. If District 428 does not take my offer I will rent the space commercially for more money. If this building were built today, it would cost over $8.9 Million to construct. As landlord, I would cover and/or maintain all roofs, walls, mechanicals. The district would cover its own utilities, insurance, and/or any taxes, if any, assessed. For rent, I only requested $.83/square foot per month ($10/square foot per annum). That's a return of approximately, after costs, of about 2.55% of new construction value. Most commercial property in DeKalb rents for $18-$35 per square foot per annum. It would be the most cost-effective solution for DeKalb's space needs, maybe even in the whole United States. My family would love the long-term support the educational needs of DeKalb. M M Dutt M x Tett M Interior Space Layout - Main Floor MARLIFE Interior Space Layout - Lower Level SALIVIG 3 MAM HE Site Areal KALEPEW PAID ADVERTISEMENT M N Gross Space Layout-Main Floor BE 315 St D I drafted this letter to explain what a good deal this is for all DeKalb's taxpayers. Renting makes more economic sense than buying a different building. especially with someone else maintaining the structure. For example, in the town meetings, it was suggested the Roberts Building (NIU Nursing Building) could be given to the District for $1. Such a building would be expensive to retrofit and maintain by union employees. Renovations could easily be $2-$3 million Dollars. Taxpayers, lets save all the funny money from the state and federal government and use that money for a rainy day project that can't be paid by a guy like Jim Mason. This Building is 33% larger that the Roberts Building and more parking is available. It would be a better deal for District #428. I urge all taxpayers to pick up the phone and call every school board Member. Ask them to accept this offer. It's a more sensible solution for all of us. Please find the names and numbers of citizens who are making this decision. List Board Member and Email Addresses. Samantha McDavid Deyci Ramirez Samantha.McDavid@D428.org Deyci.Ramirez@D428.org Ariel Owens Ariel.Owens@D428.org Amanda Harness Amanda.Harness@D428.org Sarah Moses Sarah.Moses@D428.org Jeromy Olson Jeromy.Olsen@D428.org David Seymour David.Seymour@D428.org PS. Any board members that would like to meet with me to discuss this further, please contact my office at (815) 756-1198. I will make myself available any time and anywhere. CL JIM MASON'S OFFER TO : TAXPAYERS , PARENTS AND STUDENTS OF DEKALB SCHOOL DISTRICT 428 January 5 , 2023 To : This letter is to all taxpayers , parents and students in DeKalb from Jim Mason Dear Residents of District 428 ; this is a chance to really get involved an make a difference . It has been brought to my attention that District 428 needs more classroom space , because so many students are coming from out of District , of which I am very aware . With this situation in mind , I bought 315 N 6th St , DeKalb , the old Camelot school / Farm Bureau Building . It is a perfect building to fit District # 428 space needs for the lowest long term cost maybe in the United States . It is a # 33,000 square foot building , with 30 classrooms , and a gigantic 48 ' x 84 ' auditorium on the first floor . It has extra space with a 72 ' x 38 - foot auditorium in the basement which was formerly used as a gymnasium . The building is surrounded by easy access roads from anywhere in DeKalb . It has , additionally , two large parking lots on the North and South side plus space for additional playground equipment . When I bought this building with its large office space , wide hallways , and convenient access , I considered that District # 428 may have a future need for space for students and families . If District 428 does not take my offer I will rent the space commercially for more money . If this building were built today , it would cost over $ 8.9 Million to construct . As landlord , I would cover and / or maintain all roofs , walls , mechanicals . The district would cover its own utilities , insurance , and / or any taxes , if any , assessed . For rent , I only requested $ .83 / square foot per month ( $ 10 / square foot per annum ) . That's a return of approximately , after costs , of about 2.55 % of new construction value . Most commercial property in DeKalb rents for $ 18- $ 35 per square foot per annum . It would be the most cost - effective solution for DeKalb's space needs , maybe even in the whole United States . My family would love the long - term support the educational needs of DeKalb . M M Dutt M x Tett M Interior Space Layout - Main Floor MARLIFE Interior Space Layout - Lower Level SALIVIG 3 MAM HE Site Areal KALEPEW PAID ADVERTISEMENT M N Gross Space Layout - Main Floor BE 315 St D I drafted this letter to explain what a good deal this is for all DeKalb's taxpayers . Renting makes more economic sense than buying a different building . especially with someone else maintaining the structure . For example , in the town meetings , it was suggested the Roberts Building ( NIU Nursing Building ) could be given to the District for $ 1 . Such a building would be expensive to retrofit and maintain by union employees . Renovations could easily be $ 2- $ 3 million Dollars . Taxpayers , lets save all the funny money from the state and federal government and use that money for a rainy day project that can't be paid by a guy like Jim Mason . This Building is 33 % larger that the Roberts Building and more parking is available . It would be a better deal for District # 428 . I urge all taxpayers to pick up the phone and call every school board Member . Ask them to accept this offer . It's a more sensible solution for all of us . Please find the names and numbers of citizens who are making this decision . List Board Member and Email Addresses . Samantha McDavid Deyci Ramirez Samantha.McDavid@D428.org Deyci.Ramirez@D428.org Ariel Owens Ariel.Owens@D428.org Amanda Harness Amanda.Harness@D428.org Sarah Moses Sarah.Moses@D428.org Jeromy Olson Jeromy.Olsen@D428.org David Seymour David.Seymour@D428.org PS . Any board members that would like to meet with me to discuss this further , please contact my office at ( 815 ) 756-1198 . I will make myself available any time and anywhere . CL