The New Ulm District 88 School Board is expected to reject all of the bids received for the purchase of the former middle school building during it’s meeting this (THU) evening. The district received a total of four bids on the property, two of them involving the New Ulm Actors Community Theater turning part of the building into a theater and performing arts center. The rest of the building would be converted to market rate apartments. On the advice of legal counsel, District 88 will now likely negotiate the terms of the purchase with the bidder the school board selects this evening because of the many contingencies contained in the bids. By negotiating, the district would be able to assure its use of the auditorium with a renewable lease. In other business, the school board will be considering a resolution to call a referendum on a general fund property tax increase. The District 88 School Board meeting begins at 7pm at the District Administrative Center in New Ulm.