A couple of years ago, the Warren County School District sold the former Sheffield Elementary School for $22,000.

That sale may be on the verge of paying off for the community at large.

The buyer, Taylor Diversions Programs, is a self-styled youth and family-focused support program that aims to serve at-risk youth.The Sheffield school building can house 12 court-committed youth who learn workforce development skills – though the agency wants to house programs for the community that include a boxing program, exercise and fitness spaces, welding programs, arts programs and a community garden.

“(We’re) repurposing the building in totality,” Michael Cummings, Taylor Diversions Programs executive director, told Warren County School District board members recently. “It gives an opportunity for everyone to be there… an opportunity for the community to become stronger.”

There may also be space for partnerships between Taylor Diversion Programs and the Warren County School District. Cummings outlined a day treatment program which would see at-risk youth come to them for their education and programming but then return home in the evening, ideally reducing the need for full placement. School district officials have been looking for such programs for a while.

There is little more depressing than seeing vacant school buildings rot away after spending so many years as a hub of community activity. It’s good to see the former Sheffield Elementary School building find a new way to benefit the community,