SEEKING BIDS — Brooke County school officials sought bids Monday for the former Wellsburg Middle School building at an auction held in the school’s gym. Among those on hand were, from left, Corey Murphy, deputy superintendent of schools; Karen Givens-Whetsell, executive secretary to the superintendent; Superintendent of Schools Jeff Crook; and Steve Mitchell, director of buildings and grounds. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Brooke County school officials received a bid of $225,000 for the former Wellsburg Middle School from a Wheeling businessman who operates a Wheeling day care center and an indoor play center with his wife.

Ed Hinebaugh submitted the sole bid for the property, which includes about 70,828 square feet under and around the three-story building which once served as Wellsburg High School.

Superintendent of Schools Jeff Crook noted the bid must be accepted by the Brooke County school board.

The board’s next meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday at the board’s office at 1201 Pleasant Ave.

On Monday morning in the school’s gym, Crook conducted the auction, which is required under state law for the disbursement of public school property.

Ed Hinebaugh and his wife, Beth, own Noah’s Ark Childcare and the Fulton Fun Factory, which offers indoor bounce houses and other activities for youth and rental space for parties, as well as about 50 single-family homes in the Wheeling area.

Asked about their plans for the school building, Beth said, “We want to work with the community to see what is needed, but our first priority is stuff for kids.”

“The building looks like it’s in really good condition. It has a lot of potential,” she said, noting the property faces the Ohio River.

A graduate of Brooke High School, Beth Cawthon Hinebaugh noted her father had graduated from Wellsburg High School and she was a student there when it was a middle school.

The Hinebaughs were the only attendees to register for the auction.

During a prior auction, held Aug. 4, a few potential bidders had registered but remained silent when it came to seek offers.

The school was closed when its student body was merged with students of Follansbee Middle School as part of the opening of Brooke Middle School in 2018.

But the building gained a new lease on life when the school district’s alternative learning center moved in.

It also has become home to the Wellsburg Police Department and the Brooke County Family Resource Center, an organization that provides educational programs for local families.

After Wellsburg Police Chief Mike Allman introduced himself, Ed Hinebaugh suggested it may be possible, pending the board’s decision, to reach an agreement for the police department’s continued presence there.

Asked about the future location of the alternative learning center, Crook said, “We will be working with the buyer once the bid process has been finalized by the board of education.”