Looking to lease a former school building? Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools might have just the property.

The district announced Friday that it will lease several schools slated for closure in the 2011-2012 school year.

The buildings are: Davidson IB, Midwood High, Pawtuckett Elementary, Smith Language Academy, Amay James Pre-K, and Wilson Middle.

The district also has a tentative plan to lease Double Oaks Pre-K, Plaza Road Pre-K and Tryon Hills Pre-K, but those buildings may be taken off the list if the school board votes to fully fund the Bright Beginnings pre-kindergarten program.The board will decide the future of Bright Beginnings when it considers the full budget this spring.

The board voted last year to close 11 schools, mostly in low-income areas, as part of a plan that could see as much as $100 million cut from the district’s operating budget. Schools selected for closure generally suffered from low enrollment and low test scores.

“We hope these schools will continue to be used by the community, even though they are no longer housing students,” Mike Raible, executive director of planning and project management for CMS, said in a statement Friday. “The money we expect to receive from the leases may not be substantial – it certainly won’t solve our budget shortfalls.

A CMS spokeswoman declined to speculate Friday on potential revenue from the leases.

Priority will be given to bidders who would used the buildings for educational or community use.

Online bidding will begin March 4.

CMS will hold two meetings for potential bidders. The first meeting will be Tuesday, March 1, at 11:30 a.m. in Room 280 of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. The second meeting will be March 3 at 5:30 in Room CH-14 of the government center.

Questions should be emailed to realestate@cms.k12.nc.us.

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