Date of Graduation
1989
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to determine what unique and interesting uses of surplus school space existed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. Answers to the following questions were sought: (1) What were the legal restraints imposed upon school boards in each state regarding selling, leasing, renting, transferring or disposing of school property? (2) What were acceptable alternative uses of school space in each of these states? The laws in these three states were researched to determine if legal restraints were imposed upon school boards regarding the use or disposition of surplus space and property. Following the identification of school districts in each state that had successfully dealt with the problem of surplus school space, the researcher selected school districts that appeared to have developed unique and interesting alternate uses of excess space. An initial screening process was conducted by phone with selected districts and on-site visits and interviews scheduled with the appropriate individuals. This investigation led to the development of a handbook of case studies for these three state to be used as a reference or resource for school districts faced with the problem of excess school space. In Pennsylvania, Boards had the right to lease or sell unused and unnecessary lands and buildings. Unique and interesting uses included: luxury apartments, both middle- and low-income housing, personal care facilities, restaurants, office complexes, private education centers and private businesses. In Maryland, the county commissioners purchased all land for schools and deeded it over to the school district. When land or facilities was no longer needed it was deeded back to the county commissioners for disposition. Unique and interesting uses included: luxury apartments, middle- and low-income housing, senior citizen centers, child care centers, private commercial businesses, offices, a mini-mall and county and municipal offices. In New Jersey, school districts were required to have State Department of Education approval for the sale, lease, or transfer of land and facilities. Unique and interesting uses included: municipal buildings, professional office complexes, apartments, condominiums, private special education centers and centers for retarded citizens.
Recommended Citation
Pitcock, A Richard, "Surplus school space: Unique and interesting alternative uses in selected districts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland." (1989). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 9583.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/9583