Sale of Old Sugar Valley School – April 1 Hearing Date

LOCK HAVEN — Clinton County Judge Michael Salisbury has set an April hearing date for a petition from the Keystone Central School District to sell the former Sugar Valley School in Loganton.

The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. April1on the district petition for a private sale of the empty school and grounds to Samuel and Salinda Lapp, the proposed sale price $150,000.

The district school board, on a split vote in December, voted to sell the old Sugar Valley High School on a 12.3 acre site to the Lapps.

The board December vote to sell was 6-3, board member Charles Rosamilia arguing against the sale after Sugar Valley resident Jim Harbach spoke to the board, addressing concern about the loss of the ball fields and play area on the south side of the old school site.

Harbach offered to match the Lapp bid if Lapp chose not to proceed with the purchase.

But Lapp and transaction realtor Beth Riccardo addressed the board, indicating a desire to have the sale move ahead. Lapp had been the only prospective purchaser when the site was put up for sale and he told the board he had been “waiting patiently” for the deal to be finished up.

Harbach claimed there had been no “for sale” signs placed on the site but Riccardo said every time the signs were put up someone tore them down.

Rosamilia expressed unhappiness at the sale price, $150,000, when the property had been appraised at $225,000.

Board president Jack Peters said the district’s continued ownership of the plot represented a liability and a financial drain to keep the structure heated.