The unexpected real estate agent: the DGE has 39 houses and rents 70 schools

After two failed auction attempts, the former mayor’s mansion Luis Loboswas transferred to the General Directorate of Schools (DGE) under the concept of domain extinction. This measure could be executed thanks to the fact that the Legislature approved a month ago a modification that allows the direct delivery to that organization of assets from corruption crimes. It is difficult for that property to be transformed into a school, so the DGE will act as a real estate manager to sell it. That is one of the particular lateral roles that the school government has, since the Lobos house is not the only one that is under the orbit of the educational portfolio. That distribution has 38 estate that were perceived as a vacant inheritance and that today have diverse destinations, but all outside the focus of education. On that list there are homes that are given on loan, empty houses, apartments in historic areas and even some that were close to being used for scams.

The planning of school spaces is sometimes affected by situations that are not always appropriate for the parties involved. Due to the lack of buildings, the Government of Mendoza is forced to resort to properties that were not built with the purpose of housing studentsIn this way, there are gardens and schools that operate in houses while other properties are under the custody of the DGE due to their building structure.

A property is located at República del Perú street 1251 in Las Heras

The General Directorate of Schools It has its own properties intended for educational services, of which 1,280 are school buildings which, added to the 72 rented ones, make a total of 1,352 properties.

According to information provided by the educational portfolio, there are a total of 72 rented properties that are used for educational establishments. That is, schools that operate in “adapted” spaces and not built for that purpose. There are 20,882 students in the province in this situation. Per month, the DGE spends $38,000,000 on building rentals to schools. The 2024 budget contemplates a total expenditure of 565,779,357 pesos for the rent of these properties that will be allocated to the DGE.

Another property is at 751 Ameghino Street in Ciudad

When asked about property rentals, the chief of staff of the General Directorate of Schools, Daniela García clarified that they seek to reduce rental expenses. “Currently, works are being carried out at the Eva Perón School so that it is in a position to house offices and dependencies of the DGE and in this way dispense with some office rentals that operate externally to the Government House,” said the official.

DGE: real estate agent

The Mendoza Legislature approved last week the project sent by Governor Alfredo Cornejo to create the permanent school fund. The idea was part of article 212 of the provincial Constitution but had not been regulated. The law provides for the creation of a permanent school fund where money from vacant inheritances will be deposited. This legal figure is created when a person dies and there are no heirs to receive their assets. In that case, Justice delivers that inheritance to the State, more specifically, the General Directorate of Schools. Managing these properties is sometimes more of a problem than a help for the DGE and that is why they seek to expedite the sale.

Regarding Vacant Inheritances, there are currently 39 properties that are registered in the name of the educational portfolio under that name and are in a position to be auctioned. However, there are many more. On the list there is everything, from two apartments in Barrio Cano to barbecue areas that in many cases are inhabited.

“Those properties that are currently under bailment in favor of third parties, their care and maintenance is the responsibility of the bailors, with the bailor (DGE) being authorized to request immediate return when he deems it so. These contracts have a duration of 3 years, with the option to renew”, explained from the DGE. In a tour carried out by MDZ, several peculiarities were detected. A neighbor of one of the properties explained that there were several fraudulent sales attempts.

The DGE itself cannot use them. “Many of the properties cannot be used due to the building characteristics they present and the materials with which they were built. There are many adobe homes that are not suitable for educational purposes and are under the custody and care of bailors,” said García.