Board signals support to cut Middle School asking price to $1.75 million

Conneaut SD board members indicated support at their March 4 work session for reducing the listing price of Conneaut Valley Middle School from $2.5 million to $1.75 million, citing low buyer interest and ongoing maintenance costs.

Board member Mrs. Cranco told the board the district's real-estate advisors at SVN Three Rivers Commercial recommended a price cut after limited interest at the higher list. Board members said the district has spent roughly $120,000 a year maintaining the vacant building and that reducing the price is intended to spur a sale and reduce long-term taxpayer costs.

Members discussed an agenda item (19E) that would allow a formal vote on the price change at next week's meeting if needed. One board member noted a prior offer on a seven-acre parcel and urged the board to consider parceling land to improve marketability; another warned that a voting conflict would preclude participation by the named potential buyer.

The board did not take a formal vote at the work session; members said they would keep item 19E on the voting agenda next week to permit a final decision. The discussion included an advisory that carrying costs for the building have accrued over two-plus years, and that the district can ask real-estate advisers additional questions if the board wants further detail before a vote.

The board also heard a public comment from Kevin McGrath, who said the Lionsboro Borough intends to preserve a ballfield as a public park if deed transfer proceeds and asked that deed language explicitly protect recreational use.

Next steps: the board will consider the price-change motion during its next voting meeting; no sale has been finalized.