South Bend Schools Board Greenlights Sale of Hay Elementary Building

Photo byWSBT

South Bend, IN — In a decisive move to repurpose educational assets, the South Bend Schools Board has approved the sale of the closed Hay Elementary School building. The historic decision paves the way for the South Bend Hebrew Day School to acquire the property for $894,000.

During their recent meeting, board members sanctioned the sale, marking a new chapter for the 2021-shuttered Hay Elementary. The building, once a cornerstone of local education, has been under lease by the Hebrew Day School, which now steps into permanent stewardship of the space.

This transition is emblematic of a broader trend in the region's educational landscape, where adaptive reuse of school properties reflects evolving community needs and priorities. The sale follows the closure of Hay Elementary and Tarkington Elementary in 2021, both of which faced declining enrollment and shifting educational demands.

The South Bend Hebrew Day School’s acquisition of Hay Elementary not only represents a strategic expansion but also underscores the institution's commitment to bolstering educational resources within the community. As the Hebrew Day School prepares to integrate the facility into its operations, the move promises to breathe new life into a storied building and further enrich the local educational environment.

This development exemplifies how communities can creatively adapt and thrive amidst changing circumstances, ensuring that valuable resources continue to serve their intended purpose.