Shaler approves purchase of former primary school for community use

A former Shaler Area elementary school will be converted for community use after its purchase by the township is complete.

The vacant Jeffery Primary building along Wetzel Road was offered for sale by the district to Shaler for $120,000.

The 31,500 square-foot school sits directly across from the municipal building and Kiwanis Park, making it a perfect complement to township properties, Manager Tim Rogers said.

“We plan to convert it for community use, but we are not exactly sure how yet,” Rogers said.

The district closed Jeffery Primary partly because it sits in the middle of the district, sandwiched between two other primary schools.

Its 175 students were moved from the site prior to the 2018-19 school year.

The building has sat vacant since that time, after a deal between the district and Mt. Alvernia Day Care fell through.

A $650,000 deal was pending but township officials said it would have violated zoning laws if it didn’t continue to serve as a school or something similar.

At that time, Shaler commissioners expressed interest in the parking lot but said the building required difficult renovations.

Now, Rogers said, a portion of the building, which sits on nearly 6 acres, will be razed.

Land will be used as a park annex for picnics, and the significant parking lot of nearly 2 acres will improve traffic flow during popular township events.

Shaler Area officials declined to comment on the pending sale.

“At this time, Shaler Area does not have a signed purchase and sale agreement with Shaler Township for the former Jeffery Primary School property,” district communications specialist Bethany Baker said.