At a Saturday town‑hall hosted by the Bellbrook‑Sugarcreek Local School District, district officials, neighborhood residents and community organizations discussed options for Sugar Creek Elementary, a multi‑acre campus the district is considering divesting.

The discussion centered on community proposals for the site, legal constraints on sale, estimated costs to demolish or repair aging buildings, and timing for a board decision. A Lions Club representative and Terry Craig Streeter, superintendent of the Greene County Educational Service Center (ESC), each described separate proposals to use portions of the property if the district divests.

Why it matters: The property includes at least two older school buildings, some land in the FEMA floodplain and several community tenants. District officials said the campus costs taxpayers in ongoing maintenance; community groups said they want the site preserved for local events and services if the district moves to divest.

The Lions Club representative said the club is interested in acquiring land and presented two concepts: (1) a clubhouse and community event space with parking and water‑adverse design considerations; or (2) residential parcels with community amenities behind them. The representative said the club has discussed using the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) as a vehicle to pursue grants and public partnerships and estimated demolition of the two buildings at roughly $600,000 (estimate provided by the Lions Club representative: “Our estimate to tear down the 2 buildings is 600,000. Don’t hold me to that, but that’s the best we can come.”).

Terry Craig Streeter, superintendent of the Greene County ESC, said his agency — a governmental educational service center that currently leases space at the site — is “definitely interested in the one‑story building where we currently rent” and described continuing programs that operate from the campus. Streeter said the ESC could consider a purchase and incorporate prospective renovation costs into financing if the district parcels land for separate uses.

District officials explained legal requirements and fiscal limits. The board’s staff said that, under Ohio law, property that is not transferred directly to a government entity must be offered through a public sale process and that the district is generally required to accept the highest bid if it follows the public‑sale route. The district also said proceeds from any sale would be deposited in the district’s permanent improvement fund and limited to capital uses (not teacher salaries).

Participants raised environmental and market constraints. Speakers noted that FEMA floodplain maps show a larger floodplain in recent updates and that a publicly available appraisal presented at the meeting valued the site with the buildings at roughly $270,000 and at about $315,000 with the buildings removed. Residents and some board members cautioned that floodplain, asbestos and aging mechanical systems would limit buyers and add demolition or remediation costs.

Several community groups and service providers said they want to remain involved in planning if the district divests. Jeff Klein of the Bellbrook Amateur Radio Club asked about timelines for any required move; the district said no eviction notices had been issued but urged tenants to be prepared because final timing would depend on board direction and any purchaser’s plans.

Officials described possible transfer vehicles and next steps. A representative of the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) said the CIC can accept property transfers and pursue partnerships or grant funding and that the CIC is intended to permit community‑oriented options that do not require sale to the highest private bidder. Board members reiterated their stated aim to “go slow” and gather community input; they said the board planned additional coffee‑chat meetings and a community meeting scheduled for early February to gather further ideas before making a formal decision on divestment.

What remains unresolved: No final board decision was made at the town hall. The board said it aims to reach a direction (keep or pursue divestment) after the public‑input period; a specific timetable beyond “February” for a directional vote was discussed but not finalized. Tenants remain in place while the district and potential partners continue discussions.

Community details: the district reported it spends ongoing maintenance resources on the campus and estimated an annual carrying cost; one district remark referenced an approximate $40,000 annual loss associated with the site. Speakers emphasized the property’s proximity to downtown Bellbrook, the adjacent park land and the campus’ value for small‑scale community events.

Votes at a glance: No formal board vote on divestment occurred at the town hall. (Separate, procedural board votes recorded later in the meeting record are listed in the meeting’s actions log.)

Ending: District officials said they will continue public engagement through additional coffee chats and a community meeting, and that the board will return with a recommendation after the public‑input period.