Cortland Schools to Lease Former Parker School – Agreement Good For Two Years

During the City of Cortland’s Common Council meeting last night, Cortland Mayor Scott Steve announced that he and Cortland Enlarged City School District have reached an agreement for a short-term lease agreement of two years at the former Parker Elementary School. Reasoning for the lease agreement is due to the upcoming renovations at Barry Elementary School.

Under the agreement, the building will be used to accommodate student classrooms while Barry is undergoing renovations. Students who attend Barry will now attend Parker School and remain within the Cortland School District area.

“This is a win-win opportunity for the City and the School district, this partnership provides a cost savings for the school district and it continues to utilize the Parker School building as an educational facility while the community continues developing a long-term vision for the building.” Cortland Mayor Scott Steve said.

The City of Cortland had purchased Parker School from the school district back in 2021; Cortland Schools closed the elementary school back in 2018. Since then, numerous plans to revitalize the building have come up short including a joint project by the YWCA and CAPCO and another from the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, or INHS.

“This may provide an opportunity to reinvent the Parker School Task Force and engage with other stakeholders to explore long-term options for the building. Cortland Schools Superintendent Robert Edwards said. “In the near term, this provides a stable learning environment for Barry School students, rather than housing students in expensive mobile classrooms.”

The proposed agreement between the City of Cortland and Cortland Schools for the two-year lease will have the district pay the City of Cortland rental fees. The rent will go towards any costs regarding maintenance to the building.

The City of Cortland added in a release there will still be opportunities for the community to utilize spaces within the building during the lease. The plan was presented to the Parker School Committee, which Mayor Steve noted during the meeting, gave their support.

Both the City and District still need to finalize a lease agreement and financials such as determining the rent of the building. The Common Council is expected to vote on an agreement early in the new year.