Thursday, October 31, 2002
The charter school would pay $90,000 a year for space in a former elementary building.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- The Sharpsville Area School Board is willing to lease space in its former South Pymatuning Elementary School to a new charter school, but it won't sell the building.
The proposed Advanced Charter Enterprise School, being put together by Mercer County's 12 public school superintendents and Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission, needs 20,000 square feet for a school it hopes to open in fall 2003 for pupils in grades two through seven who can't function in a regular classroom because of behavioral or emotional problems.
The school could house up to 100 pupils from the county.
The charter school group approached Sharpsville about leasing part of the South Pymatuning building for two years with an option to buy it in the third year.
Discussion
The Sharpsville School Board discussed the issue during a workshop Wednesday, and though there is support for leasing part of the building, there was no support for selling it, said Dr. Derry Stufft, superintendent.
He said the board will vote on the issue at its November meeting.
The board set the rental rate for the school at $4.50 per square foot when it leased space to two small commercial operations, Stufft said, adding that the charter school would pay the same rate, which would total $90,000 a year.
Sharpsville still has athletic programs operating in the school and on the grounds and would retain access to the gymnasium, restrooms and other areas.
The charter school would take about half the building.
The district closed South Pymatuning when it opened a new elementary school a year ago.
Getting a location is just one of the issues the school must deal with before it can apply for a charter from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
At least two of Mercer County's public school districts must approve the creation of the school, Stufft said, adding that could happen in December.