Sandusky to sell Osborne Elementary building

SANDUSKY — A historic Sandusky Schools building, after years of being vacant, is up for sale. During this week's public meeting, board members agreed to sell the former Osborne Elementary building, located at 920 W. Osborne St. Monroe Preparatory Academy, which occupies the former Monroe Elementary building, is reportedly interested and has 60 days to decide whether or not to purchase it, officials said. The Osborne building was appraised for about $250,000 and will be sold for that amount, district spokeswoman Kerstyn Pou said. Ohio law stipulates that public school districts must first offer a vacant school building to local charter schools, like Monroe Prep, which are operated independently. The Sandusky Library's history blog briefly summarized the building's early history: According to the book "Treasure by the Bay" by Ellie Damm, the Seventh Ward School in Sandusky was built in the Romanesque Revival style by George Feick in 1890. Many of the students who attended this school were the children of railroad workers, as the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway depot was not far from this school. In 1908 the school was enlarged, with an addition that doubled its size. In the fall of 1912, the name of the Seventh Ward School was changed to Osborne School. In 2021, Osborne Elementary permanently closed after three new Sandusky Schools buildings — Sandusky Early Learning Academy for preschool and kindergarten students; Sandusky Primary for first and second-grade students and Sandusky Intermediate for grades 3-6 — opened. More action The board, during the same meeting, also: • Recognized Buck Hallock for playing an instrumental role in getting safety handrails installed in the upper east side bleachers in Sandusky High School's gym "All of us in the district would like to thank Mr. Hallock," superintendent Dan Rambler said directly to Hallock. "I will forever say this was your project, and I appreciate you for having that passion to do this because this will live on for many years and others will continually enjoy what you've done." "This was a project that he was very passionate about and was a driving force throughout the entire process," Sandusky Schools wrote on its social networking page. "These handrails will make the upper balcony safer for all spectators when visiting the 'Big House.' We would also like to thank the Blue Streak Booster Club for partnering with us to make the project happen." • Heard updates on the Sandusky Aquatic Center project from owners representative John Feick, who said construction bids for the project are due May 5 On May 12, ThenDesign pool architects are expected to recommend a preferred construction company, Feick said. • OK'd the job description for the director of curriculum and instruction; The position, which has been without a full-time administrator since former academic chief Tracy Reed left in February, will be posted for applicants in May, board president Martha Murray said. • Purchased McGraw Hill language arts curriculum for grades 3-6 for about $237,900 to last through the 2025-26 school year; bought Amplify language arts curriculum for grades K-5 and sixth grade for $347,000 to last through the 2028-29 school year; and acquired enCORE digital curriculum for grades K-12 for $42,200 Each curriculum set was paid for with federal grants and district permanent improvement funds, which used for maintaining school district facilities and equipment estimated to last five years or more. • Approved four 22+ students for graduation: Stella Hunter, Shawn Miller, Alma Lee and Alyssa Gomez • Agreed to allow Sandusky High School student Joshua Perez, having fulfilled all necessary requirements, to graduate early on April 18 • Accepted more than $25,000 in donations, including a $15,000 donation from the Friends of 2083 Foundation for the Andrew Dunn Memorial Police Academy scholarship fund _ Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood