The Boardman School Board of Education made a unanimous decision Monday evening to close Market Street Elementary School at the end of the school year in June.

Now the board has to consider what's next for the property. One possible idea from township trustees is a park that would improve the water retention system behind the property to help alleviate flooding.

"Change is hard. This was not easy," explained school board president Jeff Barone. "We're trying to look out more than just five years but 10 years and beyond to try to reposition this for the future."

Next school year all fourth graders will join fifth and sixth graders at Center Immediate, which also houses administration offices that will move to the high school.

"That will free up 12 to 14 rooms that we can then move our fourth grade in here. So there will be some retrofitting for that," Barone said.

So now what's next for the Market Street Elementary property? Township trustees think it could possibly be used to help alleviate flooding issues in Boardman.

Trustees wrote a letter to the board wanting to open up dialogue for them to consider donating the property to the ABC Water and Stormwater Utility District. 

"Currently, as you are aware, there is a large underground Stormwater retention system that was constructed with Ohio Public Works Commission funding. That area of Boardman has surface water flooding issues, and would benefit with an expansion of that system," the letter reads.

Township Administrator Jason Loree said their proposal would increase the stormwater retention system that's already there, changing the water flow and releasing it a slower rate, and add a park with maybe a walking trail but no amenities.

According to the board president, another potential option could be selling the front property and giving the township the back.

"I think we're a ways away from trying to figure out what that becomes but we are committed to working together," described Barone.

Loree said trustees are really open to discussion and want to see if there is some common ground.

School board members plan to meet up with township leaders to come up with as many different options as possible. 

Leading up to the board's decision Monday, a parent information meeting was held last week to discuss the plan to close the school.

Parents who attended that meeting voiced their concerns with the proposal. 

"We do have some nostalgia since we have two older children who have gone through Market Street," said Julie Larson, a parent of Market Street Elementary student.  

In addition to saving money, superintendent Tim Saxton said the changes would allow the district to provide greater educational services in a more efficient manner.