York board approves purchase of downtown Historical Society building, 7-1

The School District of the City of York Board of School Directors voted 7–1 on Jan. 15 to approve an agreement to purchase the former Historical Society building and related parcels at 250 East Market Street for a purchase price of $1,500.

Board members approved a resolution authorizing the board president and secretary to execute the sale agreement and directing the superintendent, business manager and district solicitor to take necessary steps to complete settlement and related tasks. Director Suppler cast the lone no vote; one director was absent.

The purchase drew public comment. Marilyn Hake, a downtown resident whose written comment was read into the record, said the proposal “seems to be something that has not been thoroughly thought through,” and asked whether the purchase had been included in the school budget and whether funds might be better spent on instructional needs. Shannon Garcia, also read by district staff, urged a detailed breakdown of renovation costs and recommended exploring community partnerships rather than a costly property acquisition. Elspeth Bupp, who lives near the History Center, asked whether the building would be used for administrative offices or student programs and warned that vehicle and pedestrian traffic and shared parking with a nearby church would need study.

Board members and district staff said the purchase is intended primarily to relieve overcrowding in several school buildings and to house district functions that do not require a full traditional school. Superintendent Berry said the district plans to use the building for Bearkat Cyber (the district's cyber program), a centralized welcome center and central registration, and to move some staff out of the Lindbergh building, which the board described as deteriorating. The district said five of its 10 school buildings are operating above 100% capacity.

District officials noted the building consists of 10 parcels and includes 59 parking spaces. They said the zoning approval period in the purchase agreement runs through late May, and that the board's motion authorizes staff and the solicitor to complete the required due diligence and administrative steps before settlement. The board indicated funding for initial space-related costs will come from capital improvement funds and referenced a $250,000 allocation previously identified for space-related needs in the district bond/capital plan; district staff said renovation and long-term maintenance costs remain to be determined.

Attorney Jeff Gettle and Chief Recovery Officer Dr. Thoo addressed the board during the discussion. Dr. Thoo told the board he considered the building "move-in ready" for some of the district's uses and said the state (Pennsylvania Department of Education) had been informed of the district's work and had no objection so long as the district remained fiscally responsible. Board members also noted the building is in a downtown historical overlay, meaning exterior work on some façades and windows may require historical-approval processes.

The vote: seven yes, one no, and one absence. The resolution authorizes execution of the sale agreement and directs district officials to proceed with the steps needed to close, subject to the remaining approvals and due diligence outlined in the agreement.

Next steps for the district include completing zoning and other approvals during the option/settlement period (the agreement allows activity through late May), finishing building inspections and cost estimates, and coordinating the relocation of specified programs and staff if settlement is completed.