XENIA — The East High School building is going on the market.
At their June 11 meeting, members of the Xenia Community School District Board of Education voted to authorize the sale of the building at 578 E. Market St. Appraised at $30,000, the building costs more to minimally maintain annually than its worth, according to district officials.
Built in 1921, the school has been vacant since the central office staff moved to the former McKinley building five years ago, and the board’s intent is to sell to a buyer who wishes to reinvest in it in order to preserve its historical significance.
“The East High School property represents an important part in the education history of Xenia community schools,” said Board President Dr. Cheryl Marcus. “The board of education is pleased to begin the legal process required so that the facility can continue to be of service in some way to the residents of the Xenia community.”
The appraisal was the first part of the sale process spelled out by the Ohio Revised Code. The next step is to offer the building for its appraised value to a charter school, community school, STEM school, or college preparatory school within the Xenia district. Officials believe only Summit Academy falls under that. If any such school declines, the ORC dictates out how the district can auction the building or sell to any buyer for an agreed upon price.
Superintendent Gabe Lofton said a couple potential suitors have shown interest in preserving it.
