At its regular meeting on Thursday, November 30, 2023, the Roane County Board of Education authorized Superintendent Dr. Richard Duncan to proceed with plans to dispose of the property known as the Madison Avenue Complex.
This property, which consists of one concrete block building, two modular buildings, and a large field, sits at the corner of US 119 / Black Walnut Avenue and Virginia Avenue in Spencer, WV. The buildings are addressed as 802 Madison Avenue.
With completion of the new Spencer Middle School just months away, the Board is proceeding with its plan to consolidate office and operational spaces to minimize overhead costs and ensure that the district remains focused on its school facilities in the future.
Formerly used as a ball field for the former Spencer Grade School, the field, now known as Handimart Field, continues to be used for youth sports and community events and is one of few in the area that does not sit in the 100-year flood plain. The buildings have until recently housed the Offices of Special Education and Attendance, now under the combined Office of Student Support Services. The Office of Student Support Services has moved most of its offices to the campus of Roane County High School in the former day care facility there, with the remainder of the move expected to be completed this month.
Under West Virginia law, Boards of Education can sell or transfer real estate directly to a non-profit organization or other government entity, but any sale to a private individual or for-profit corporation would require a public auction.
Anyone interested in purchasing the property or wanting to comment on its future use should contact Dr. Duncan at rdduncan@k12.wv.us or (304) 927-6400.