Times Observer file photo The Youngsville Middle/High School building is pictured.

The start of the potential sale of the Youngsville Middle/High School building could begin at tonight’s Warren County School District board meeting.

Board member John Wortman suggested during a late July Physical Plant and Facilities Committee meeting that at an upcoming meeting the school board discuss revenue opportunities from the potential sale, lease or repurposing of the former Youngsville Middle/High School Building. Wortman later said he would like that discussion to begin at tonight’s board meeting in an effort to find a use for the former middle and high school building that benefits the Youngsville community.

Lack of activity in the building was raised by Youngsville residents as one reason to oppose the closure of Youngsville High School.

Wortman’s suggestion came after the committee approved the sale of the former Sugar Grove Elementary School for $75,252 to Jay Groves and Brian Horner. Gary Weber, district superintendent, said the bid is 30% more than the highest bid received the last time bids were solicited to sell the building. Proceed from the sale, according to Wortman, will help pay the cost to hire five new teachers.

Wortman said the Sugar Grove Elementary School sale may indicate an opportunity to generate new revenue from the Youngsville building at a time when federal education funding cuts are a possibility and while the school district eyes the possibility of tax uncertainties tied to Warren County’s property tax reassessment. It’s important, Wortman said, to find revenues that don’t come from property taxes. Board member Kevin Lindvay supported Wortman’s proposal and suggested revisiting past interest from Warren County in using part of the Youngsville building, suggesting district officials reach out to county officials before considering broader sales options. Weber said he would prepare options similar to the Sugar Grove Elementary School sale, including soliciting interest and preparing legal documents with the district solicitor.

In other business:

– Warren County School District officials are looking at ways to deal with decades’ worth of chemistry lab chemicals that have been stored at the Sheffield and Youngsville high school buildings. The issue was discussed recently during the school board’s Physical Plants and Facilities Committee. According to meeting minutes, Gary Weber, district superintendent, said the district is more focused on the chemistry lab disposal costs at the schools rather than paint disposal, which was the subject of a question from community resident Wendy Donahue. Weber said costs weren’t yet known, but district officials are getting quotes for disposal and looking for grant funding to help pay for the chemicals to be removed and disposed of.

Eric Mineweaser, district administrative support services director, told board members at the July 28 Personnel/Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities Meeting that four of the district’s five most recent hires are working under emergency permits. That is mainly due to updated certification rules, with kindergarten through sixth grades now split into Pre-K through fourth grades and fourth through eighth grades. Two emergency permits are needed, one for an elementary school teacher teaching sixth grade and another for a math-certified teacher also covering Family and Consumer Science.

Mineweaser said the district was doing well filling open positions, with one special education position still open and an interview scheduled. A new resignation had taken place before the July 28 meeting, which Mineweaser said would require a new job posting.

Wortman requested an update on music teacher assignments. Weber said the plan is to use the 2024-25 staffing split for the 2025-26 school year, with a review group to meet soon to assess the situation and make recommendations. Wortman asked if the district could make future music staffing decisions based on the upcoming review. Weber replied that the goal is to have recommendations ready by January so they can be part of the district’s 2026-27 budget proposal and staffing plans.

– Board members also discussed kindergarten registration. With a few weeks before school begins, Eisenhower has 50 kindergartners registered, Sheffield Elementary has 27 kindergartners registered, Warren Area Elementary Center has 113 kindergartners registered, and Youngsville has 27 kindergartners registered. Parents are encouraged to enroll their children as soon as possible. Current enrollment numbers are down, district officials said, but that could change in the upcoming weeks as parents enroll their children.