BUTLER TWP — The Butler School Board has rescinded the sales agreement for Broad Street Elementary School and created a new committee to evaluate the impact of the recent consolidation plan.

Soon after the new board members took the oath of office Tuesday night, those two items were added to the board meeting’s agenda.

Board member Bill Halle made the motion to rescind the sale agreement approved by the previous board to sell Broad Street to the Arc of Butler County for $475,007.

Halle wants to have additional public discussion about potential buyers, stressing the long-term needs of the school district and the community. Halle gave a number of reasons for delaying the sale of the building, including the need for a review of the consolidation.

“In the revenue position we are in, it would make sense to look at other offers,” he said, stressing that a for-profit buyer would allow the property to be put back on the tax rolls, which he said may be better for the district, the city and the county.

The district also received a bid from J.M. Beatty Furniture at $530,000 for the Broad Street building. That would allow the taxing of the property.

The board also voted to have a committee of board members to review the effectiveness of the school consolidation.

The district closed four elementary schools this year.

An interim report from the new committee is expected at the end of January, including a recommendation on future action regarding Broad Street.

For board member Suzie Hammonds-Bradrick, the decision to delay the sale is simply “the pause button” option while the board evaluates the effects of consolidation.