BREAKING: Sale of former Traughber Junior High School falls through

Oswego School District 308 has confirmed that Resurrection Church of the Fox Valley has backed out of the purchase of the former Traughber Junior High School.

Director of Communications and Public Relations Theresa Komitas announced the news in a statement to the Ledger, Tuesday morning.

"The Old Traughber building actively remains for sale on the market. At this time there are not any pending contracts with potential buyers," Komitas said.

The Aurora-based church was approved to purchase the property at 61 Franklin Street near downtown Oswego in February by the OSD 308 Board of Education.

As previously reported in the Ledger, the church offered $2.85 million for the building, parking lot, and adjoining grounds. The price set forth by the church was $100,000 over the district's asking price.

As of May 13, the church had not secured the necessary funding to finalize the sale of the property.

In a May 13 statement, Pastor Ed Doepel, discussing the sale of the church, said, "God is loving. We are simply seeking to share His love with this community in tangible ways. He cares deeply about our seniors. He cares deeply about our kids. We believe, somehow, he will do this.”

Les Robinson, of Baird & Warner, was appointed by the board in Dec. 2018 to sell the former District 308 Center. Robinson's original contract with the district expired May 3.

The first contract extension approved by the board expired Aug. 31. The second contract extension, approved by the Board of Education in August, will expire Dec. 29, 2019.

The district first placed the school on the market for sale in March 2018. The district vacated the property in Dec. 2017.

Resurrection Church of the Fox Valley did not return calls for comment in time for publication.