Community groups urge keeping Sugar Creek Elementary as shared community space during board’s informal conversation

The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Local board held an open, early-stage conversation with tenants and community partners about the future of Sugar Creek Elementary, where nonprofits and youth groups pressed the district to prioritize continued community uses and to allow time for orderly transitions if ownership changes.

At the meeting, Jen Leclerc, chair of the Bellbrook Sugar Creek Community Support Center, said her organization ‘‘serves roughly 50 to 75 households every week’’ and needs a fixed, temperature-controlled location to store and distribute food. ‘‘We can’t do it mobilely,’’ she said, urging the board to consider timing and the center’s limited flexibility.

Pastor Roy Sherwin of Bellbrook Bible Church, a tenant in the building, described multiple weekly uses — worship, small groups and a free meal program — and said his congregation would be ‘‘happy to sign a long-term lease’’ if that helped preserve services. Treasure Kevin Lymie, who delivered a farewell address at the meeting, highlighted the district’s financial position and the long-standing community uses of the property.

Speakers representing the Greene County Educational Service Center said they currently rent the one-story building for special education programs serving about 50–60 students and would be open to purchasing that building, but they noted ESCs ‘‘don’t qualify for state funding’’ for such purchases and would need to finance acquisition and renovation through loans and revenue.

Community organizations outlined possible public-private partnership ideas. The Bellbrook Lions Club described festival infrastructure and said portions of the land—some located in a floodplain—could host amenities such as restrooms, a small clubhouse or an open-air stage to support festivals and athletics. Carolyn DeStefani, a Sugar Creek Township trustee, flagged a state brownfield remediation program and said demolition funding might be available if a governmental partner applies, but she cautioned the district alone is often ineligible for that aid.

Board members repeatedly described the discussion as exploratory. The board said it has received only an initial facts-and-figures report about building condition and finances and that all options remain ‘‘on the table’’—sale, donation, subdivision or partnering with public entities. The district scheduled multiple public engagement opportunities, including January ‘‘coffee chats’’ and a proposed joint meeting with the township and park district on Feb. 3, to gather additional input before making decisions.

Tenants asked for clear transition planning if a sale or transfer occurs: Boy Scout leaders and other groups requested at least six months’ notice to find alternate rehearsal and storage space. Board staff said the district will seek input and try to balance community uses with the district’s financial responsibilities.

The meeting closed that portion of the agenda with a promise of further outreach: the board will host additional meetings and public forums and said decisions would not be rushed while community stakeholders develop proposals and partnership ideas.