The Cabell County Board of Education will soon have some properties it will need to dispose of. Its decisions could have long-lasting impacts on the neighborhoods those properties are in.
Tuesday evening, the board heard a presentation from Deputy Superintendent Justin Boggs about the upcoming need to determine what to do with five school sites: the Cabell County Career Technology Center; Davis Creek, Meadows and Milton elementary schools once they are completely empty due to new schools being built as part of the 2020 bond projects; and the former Highlawn Elementary property, which has not been a school for four years now.
Boggs said he has heard interest from several people and groups about some of the properties. Milton Mayor-elect Shane Evans told Boggs he is interested in the Milton Elementary School property once itƵs available, while Huntington Mayor-elect Patrick Farrell expressed interest in the Meadows building.
This problem is not unique to Cabell County, of course. Schools throughout West Virginia are being replaced as they age. Some close because of consolidation. This is a particular problem in rural areas and smaller communities where opportunities to turn former schools into businesses or community centers are fewer than in urban areas. In some cases, demolition and converting the old schools to open space is the best answer.
Cabell CountyƵs experience in old school properties has been mixed. Some have been converted to other uses, while some buildings sit idle and become detriments to their neighbors. Superintendent Tim Hardesty and board member Linda Childers both expressed concern for the potential of what happens to these properties once they are sold and the board no longer has control of what is there.
ƵIf you drive to those buildings today and look at them, you will see a myriad of things. Some are being utilized well; some are still sitting vacant. And so when, when we auction it off, we lose control of that. And whoever the highest bidder is doesnƵt always have a community mindset,Ƶ Hardesty said.
When the board closed Miller Elementary School in Huntington a few years ago, it demolished the building and turned the land into a public park. That was probably the best decision given the lack of interest from potential buyers. Vacant lots in the city arenƵt exactly being snapped up by developers looking to build new residences.
In the Miller case, the board made the right decision in clearing the land instead of selling it to someone with a good idea but insufficient resources to bring that idea to long-term success. Ƶ the board ponders the fate of the Meadows property and others, it should consider the long-term needs and well-being of the communities these schools are leaving behind.
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