Shawnee Elementary sold for $1.6 million
HURON – Huron City Schools has auctioned off the former Shawnee Elementary School building for $1.6 million, the district announced Thursday.
The auction took place online and was facilitated by Don Sweeting Auctioneer LLC, of North Fairfield. The starting bid for the auction was $1 million. The 6.49 acre property was valued at $1.59 million.
The school district says they are now working with the auctioneer and purchaser, whose identity has not yet been announced, with the closure of the sale and transfer of title. The district states a property transfer could occur as soon as September 1.
Shawnee Elementary was constructed in 1953, and has always been owned by Huron City Schools; however, for several periods of time, they did not operate the school. In 2008, Shawnee was reopened as a traditional public school for kindergarten to second grade. Since then, the district has seen a decrease in enrollment.
In December 2022, as part of the district’s strategic facility plan, the Huron Board of Education unanimously voted to close Shawnee Elementary for the 2023-2024 school year. As a result, pre-K to fifth grade will now be at Woodlands, sixth grade to eighth grade will now be at McCormick Junior High, and ninth grade to twelfth grade will continue to be at Huron High School.
Superintendent Dr. James Tatman recommended Shawnee for closure because it was tied with McCormick as being in the worst shape. Dr. Tatman recommended keeping McCormick open because of its gym and performing arts center, along with its proximity to the High School and Huron Public Library.
This article was written by Nate Hinners. Contact Nate at nhinners@huroninsider.com.
PHOTO CREDIT: Google Earth