PORT NECHES — Neches Federal Credit Union now as a 45 day contract extension on a land deal they are working on with the Port Neches-Groves Independent School District.

Trustees approved the extension during their Monday night regular meeting.

Superintendent Mike Gonzales said all the district has done was extend the contract from March 2 through April 16.

“We are not changing any language to the contract, all we’re doing is giving them a 45-day extension,” Gonzales said. “After that we will have 30 days to close.”

Late last year, while under the direction of interim superintendent Jimmy Creel, trustees gave the green light to negotiate and execute a contract with Neches Federal Credit Union, located at 766 Magnolia Ave. in Port Neches, regarding the eight-acre parcel of land at the corner of FM 366 and Merriman Street in Port Neches.

The district has owned the land — valued at about $1 million — for some years and state law prohibits construction of any facility at the site that would hold students because of its proximity to local industry.

The deal between the district and credit union is for a land swap with the credit union getting the corner property and the district getting the credit union property where they will likely use for a new administration building. This would allow for the district to consolidate its two administration offices, one in Groves and one in Port Neches, in one location.

The land issue also includes the iconic corner with school district memorabilia. The items would not be lost when the deal is finalized and will be displayed likely at a new location.