BEMIDJI — A former elementary school in Bemidji may soon be listed on the market after an initial proposal for purchase from the Red Lake Nation fell through.
Oshkimaajitahdah, a tribal entity managing 22 programs for the Red Lake Nation, submitted a bid to purchase the former school to expand its services in the Bemidji area, which the board accepted last November. The entity currently uses another former district building for its Bemidji office.
Since then, Red Lake withdrew its offer to purchase the school, and Central Elementary was again declared a surplus property in April.
While the minimum threshold price for the building set by the School Board is not public information, Superintendent Jeremy Olson told KAXE in a Friday, May 31, phone interview that the asking price would be public information once it is listed by a realtor.
Olson said he was open to engaging in conversations with anyone interested in developing the building near downtown Bemidji. The Board did set two provisions for the sale of the property: that it cannot be a school serving K-12 students, and that it can’t be used for the production, manufacturing or sale of cannabis.
Oshkimaajitahdah did not return a request for comment Friday.
-
Contributed/University of Massachusetts Press, Macmillan, BloomsburyBooks featured on the "KAXE Morning Show" on June 11, 2026, include "Summers at the Saint," "Theo of Golden" and "The Nightingale." -
And: COVID learning woes still haunt MN kids' well-being. -
And: A McGregor gas station was fined by the state Pollution Control Agency; the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission was given a transportation award; and Red Lake County will defend its baseball title Monday.
-
Contributed/AP Photo / Rod Lamkey, Jr. via MinnPostThe demand comes after the House Oversight and Government Affairs Committee released a report that said Walz and Ellison ignored rampant fraud in the state’s social service programs. -
Contributed/Alyssa Chen / Minnesota ReformerThe state abruptly paused payment to thousands of care providers in May in a rush to meet a federal deadline. -
Contributed/Lakers Girls Golf Instagram PageAlmost 90 Northland students competed at the state golf tournament June 9-10, 2026, around the Twin Cities. -
Contributed/Brian DowThe number of detainees has not been confirmed. Bemidji police and Beltrami sheriff's deputies did not take part, leaders say. Some community members gathered to protest. -
Jennifer Barr/KAXEKAXE Friday mornings feature "The Sports Page" and during World Cup season, "Futbol is Life!" -
And: A missing Alexandria woman found alive in mud puddle near Backus; a nature-based early learning center opens in Coleraine; and Brainerd boys and Detroit Lakes girls are state golf champions.
-
Charlie Mitchell and Heidi Holtan laugh about porcupine sounds, learn about skinks, and delve into the nesting habits of robins.Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe!
