BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — The Bradford County School Board voted last week to dispose of the former Hampton Elementary School property.
The recommendation came from Superintendent Will Hartley who added that the board will next be asked to dispose of the former Brooker Elementary School as well.
Hartley said deeding the Brooker property to the organizers of the charter school that operates there now was part of the original agreement.
The Hampton property won’t be changing hands right now, although surplussing the property would allow the district to put the property on the market. The Arc of Bradford County has moved programs to the Hampton campus, and there is also a Community Health and Wellness Hub open once a month at the location.
Hartley said if it was going to be sold, the district would like to sell it to The Arc, which is leasing the campus.
All of this is in service of a larger vision and that is pursuing another new school. By disposing of former schools, the district erases those “student stations” from the books before the district begins requesting funds for a new junior-senior high school.
Hartley said they will begin meeting soon to plot that process and the future of the middle and high schools.
In other business:
—the school board also approved a state evaluation system for Brooker Community School, and amended the agreement with the charter school to include the addition of a sixth grade next school year. The amendment also states that if the charter school ceases to function, the school district will take possession of all the equipment and capital acquisitions.
