A recent report reveals that there are hundreds of of empty schools all over the U.S., including some right here in Kansas.
The Pew Charitable Trusts shows more than 300 schools were on the market, for sale last year.
That's including some right here in Kansas.
In Wichita, an elementary school was auctioned to the highest bidder Friday morning for $56,000.
In Clearwater, an elementary school sits vacant after closing 3 years ago. Clearwater school district officials say they closed the building because of budget issues and moved all activities to a newer location on the West side.
Longtime residents in the neighborhood say they were sorry to see it shuttered. There are fears it will be torn down.
"It's really a nice building, it's something that should be used as far as I'm concerned," says Bobby Parmele.
Parmele lives right across the street from what used to be Clearwater East and actually remembers watching it be built. He says in the last few years, he's seen different groups utilize the space.
"They do have a lot of meetings and several different meetings," he said. "I think they may even have card games."
Nationwide, there are concerns that a vacant space could attract crime. But Parmele says, not in Clearwater.
"If it stays empty, but they'd be better off having something in there," he says.
Clearwater officials says there are plans to renovate and make the vacant school into a center, if the budget permits.
The Pew Charitable Trusts shows more than 300 schools were on the market, for sale last year.
That's including some right here in Kansas.
In Wichita, an elementary school was auctioned to the highest bidder Friday morning for $56,000.
In Clearwater, an elementary school sits vacant after closing 3 years ago. Clearwater school district officials say they closed the building because of budget issues and moved all activities to a newer location on the West side.
Longtime residents in the neighborhood say they were sorry to see it shuttered. There are fears it will be torn down.
"It's really a nice building, it's something that should be used as far as I'm concerned," says Bobby Parmele.
Parmele lives right across the street from what used to be Clearwater East and actually remembers watching it be built. He says in the last few years, he's seen different groups utilize the space.
"They do have a lot of meetings and several different meetings," he said. "I think they may even have card games."
Nationwide, there are concerns that a vacant space could attract crime. But Parmele says, not in Clearwater.
"If it stays empty, but they'd be better off having something in there," he says.
Clearwater officials says there are plans to renovate and make the vacant school into a center, if the budget permits.
