WEIRTON — The ownership and management of two streets leading to the Weir High and Weir Middle campus could soon be swapped as part of an agreement between Hancock County Schools and the City of Weirton.

As part of its meeting Monday, the Hancock County Board of Education gave its approval to a proposed memorandum of understanding between the two governmental entities which would trade the oversight of Red Rider Road and Sinclair Avenue.

“We have worked over the last few weeks,” Hancock County Schools Superintendent Dan Enich explained.

Officials noted that, currently, Red Rider Road – leading from South 11th Street to the high school – is owned and maintained by the City of Weirton, while Sinclair Avenue – connecting Front Street to Heights Street and running adjacent to the schools – is owned by the school district.

“It’s been talked about for some time to flip those,” Enich said, indicating the city would then be responsible for Sinclair Avenue and the school district would take over Red Rider Road.

Weirton Mayor Dean Harris and City Manager Mike Adams were in attendance at Monday’s school board meeting, with Adams stating the street swap was permissable under state code.

“The two groups that are utilizing these roads are mismatched,” Adams said, noting that while the city-owned Red Rider Road is primarily used by those wishing to access the school property, those driving on the school district-owned Sinclair Avenue traditionally are traveling to and from the neighboring residential area. “It makes sense for both entities to exchange these streets.”

According to Adams, this wouldn’t be the first time the school district has owned Red Rider Road, explaining Hancock County Schools had been its owner until the 1980s, when it was conveyed to the West Virginia Division of Highways, which later transferred it to the city.

The memorandum of understanding still must be approved by Weirton Council before it can become effective.