Why is The Historic Wyola School Up For Sale?

Newtown Township officials continue to go forward in their planned sale of the Wyola School, a significant historic township asset. In an effort to reap some short-term financial gain (and who knows how much will be gained as a taxpayer funded appraisal has not been made public), they are sacrificing an asset that helps to make Newtown Square an interesting place to reside. This asset currently provides revenue to the township. It is leased to for about $15,300 per year as stated in township budget documents. 

This decision by township officials makes no sense to me. The building has historical significance and provides the township with annual revenue. Why sell it? If the township is so desperate for one time revenue, is there no other piece of township property that could be sold?  Is there no other way to generate revenue? 

For example, last year the township borrowed $500,000 to renovate the second floor of the township building saying that they would be leasing it to the district court. They did not execute a lease with the district court. They still borrowed the $500,000 but have yet to renovate the second floor. 

If they completed this renovation, wouldn’t they be able to lease this space for additional revenue? In the meantime, the township has expended taxpayer funded legal work to sell the Wyola School. They paid to have the property appraised. With this latest decision, they want to offer the building for sale with no limitations on what the building can be used for once sold. Why is that?

Jan Elston, a resident and member of the Newtown Square Historical Society, :

“A great many of us are very concerned about the planned sale of one of those very important structures: Newtown Public School No. 1 (the Wyola School, c. 1870).

This old school is one of our most important buildings–owned by Newtown Township and the citizens and taxpayers, who are the township. Jean Austin DuPont cared enough about it to completely restore the school, even found the original bell for the cupola. We have all thought it was safe when the township acquired it from the Gambone Development Company.

I really feel that this sets a dangerous precedent–what's to stop the sale of  to a developer or the  by a future administration?”

Unfortunately, the answer to her question is likely that there is nothing to stop township officials from selling these township assets. I agree with Jan and hope that other residents will let township officials know that they do not support the sale of this property. 

Leave a comment on this post, contact the township manager at triom@newtowntwpdelco.org or you can go to the township website at www.newtowntownship.org for the township address and phone information as well as addresses for members of the Board of Supervisors so you can contact them to oppose this sale.