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WELLSBURG -- The Brooke County Board of Education Monday unanimously approved the sale of the former Follansbee Middle School property for $400,000.
The amount was bid by Scott Ewusiak, a local developer who said he's considering various uses for the two-story school building.
The sale included the adjacent Carlin Dodrill Field House, a basketball gym to which a connector was built more than 20 years ago; and a football field and gravel athletic track behind the structures.
Superintendent Jeffrey Crook said at the board's next meeting he hopes to present an in-house market analysis of two other properties -- the former Colliers Primary School and a lot at 26th and Commerce Street occupied by a trailer used for the alternative learning center's night classes.
Crook said a title search will be done for them also.
Follansbee Middle School and Colliers Primary School are among five schools closed by a previous school board that cited declining enrollment and the cost to maintain them.
Also before the board were many personnel issues, including the transfers of about 20 professional and service personnel as well as the rescinding of four staff members who had been cut in recent months.
The four are Alicia Lazear, an aide in the early childhood education program, and three bus drivers: Joei Platt, Loreto Pettini and Randy Kirtley.
Crook said the retirement of other employees allowed the board to retain the four and he's hopeful that will allow the board to keep more of about 40 personnel who had been laid off because of a continued drop in enrollment.
The board also accepted the resignation of Allisha Fuscardo, the cheering coach at Brooke Middle School.
Following the meeting, Crook said information is being sought so the school district's students can receive food over the summer through the state Department of Health and Human Resources.
He said the state-run program will carry on efforts by the school district to feed youth since the pandemic-spurred statewide school closing was ordered.
Crook said he and other school officials are aware of the economic difficulties experienced by many families and will support the state's efforts in whatever way they can.
All parents are encouraged to call secretaries at each of the schools with current addresses for their children. The secretaries can be reached from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the following numbers: Brooke Primary North, (304) 527-0870; Brooke Primary South, (304) 737-0133; Brooke Intermediate North, (304) 527-2250; Brooke Intermediate South, (304) 737-1760; Brooke Middle School, (304) 737-3800; and Brooke High School, (304) 527-1410.
School officials said parents who want to opt out of the program will have that option.
Crook said with social distancing still recommended by public health officials, alternate plans have been made for the high school's prom and graduation.
He said the Pittsburgh venue originally booked for the prom had to be canceled, so plans have been made for the formal to be held July 23 at St. Francis Centre in Hooverson Heights.
He said it's been scheduled for a Monday because the hall was booked on other weekends in the summer.
Crook said caps and gowns have been picked up by members of the high school's Class of 2020 so they may be worn for both a video graduation slated for May 18 and a traditional graduation tentatively set for July 23 in the school's gym or football stadium, depending on social distancing requirements at that time.