Shawnee Elementary sold for $1.6M

HURON — Shawnee Elementary has a new owner. The school building, located at 712 Cleveland Road E., was sold for $1.6 million via online auction on Wednesday, Huron Schools announced in a news release. Auctioneer Don Sweeting of North Fairfield facilitated the auction. "The district is now working with the auctioneer and purchaser for the closure of the sale and transfer of title," Huron Schools stated. "The property can transfer ownership as soon as Sept. 1, 2023." It's unknown who purchased the property. As of Thursday afternoon, the sale wasn't documented on the Erie County auditor's website. During May's public board meeting, board members agreed to set the beginning bid price at $1 million. In February, the roughly seven-acre property, including the school building, was appraised for $1.6 million by Delahunt Appraisal Service. Proceeds from the sale "must be used by the district for capital improvement projects," according to the news release. "In the 2023-24 school year, the master facility planning will take place," Huron Schools stated. "This will set the direction for the district's long-term facility needs. Through this planning process all stakeholders will be engaged, including students, families, staff and the Huron community. The sale of this property is key in the initial actions for the district's long-term plans." Previous action Huron Schools board members unanimously approved a resolution in March to officially close Shawnee Elementary. A similar board decision was made in December to go from four campuses down to three after community members gave input at public meetings. Closing Shawnee Elementary is part of the district's consolidation plan to save on operating costs. By closing this building, Huron Schools is expected to save more than $73,500 annually. Beginning the 2023-24 school year, preschool through fifth grades will be at the Woodlands Intermediate building; grades 6-8 will attend McCormick Jr. High; and grades 9-12 and the board office will be at Huron High School. The Shawnee building was constructed on Cleveland Road East in 1953 for elementary students, according to the Huron Historical Society. In December, board members also voted 5-0 to change current Huron Schools leadership assignments. Next school year, these changes will occur: • Current Shawnee principal Brian Kucbel will lead Woodlands Intermediate. • Current Woodlands principal Mark Doughty will become McCormick Jr. High principal. • Current McCormick principal Chad Carter will assume new responsibilities as the district's full-time operations director, effective Aug. 1, 2023. His principal contract will end on July 31. _ Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood