From Old School To No School? Board Leaning Toward Demolition Of Empty Building

The old North Dearborn Elementary School building has been sitting empty since 2015.

File photo.

Update published at 2:19 p.m.:

Dale Lutz, the citizen who addressed the school board on the matter, issued this statement clarifying his stance on the former North Dearborn Elementary School property:

"I feel it is the school's responsibility and duty to the community to remove the abandoned building. I don't want any confusion. I have no issues if Sunman Dearborn sells the vacant land. My parents did sell the land 59 years ago with an expectation of always being a school. Times change. The school cooperation has the right then to sell the land."

Original story published at 8:54 a.m.:

(Logan Township, Ind.) - The empty former North Dearborn Elementary School building appears likely to meet the wrecking ball.

The Sunman-Dearborn Community School Corporation Board of Trustees met Thursday and held more discussion about the fate of the building, which last housed students in 2015.

The 80,000 square foot former school on North Dearborn Road in Logan Township has been listed for sale, but there have been no offers, according to the board.

Superintendent Andrew Jackson said the vacant building is costing the school district about $70,000 a year to maintain. Meanwhile, estimates for demolishing the old school are around $346,000.

“Yes, it’s a lot of money, but I believe it is our duty to tear the building down,” said board member James Graf.

Board members appeared poised to vote Thursday for the demolition, but a motion to proceed died on a 4-3 vote. Members wanted to wait a month or two to find out if there might be a blight elimination grant available to help pay for all or part of the demolition.

Fellow school board member John Maxwell suggested that part of the property be turned into a parking lot. Large crowds come to see youth football games still hosted at the football field.

Citizen Dale Lutz told the board his parents sold the land where the school was built to the school district 50 years ago. They sold it, he said, with the understanding that property would always be owned by the school corporation.

Jackson has previously dismissed any future need for the old building. There is space at Sunman and North Dearborn elementary schools if student enrollment grows.

“I’m ready to get rid of the building,” Jackson said.