Salem-Keizer School District officials will move forward selling two historic rural school buildings and an office complex that are sitting empty. The Salem-Keizer School Board unanimously authorized the sales during its meeting on Tuesday, March 10. What’s for sale The schools are: F ruitland, 6425 Fruitland Rd. N.E., 1.3 acres, assessed value $1 million Lake Labish, 7495 Portland Rd N.E., 4.8 acres, assessed value $1.7 million Both buildings are more than a century old. Fruitland was built in 1889 and came into the district in 1964 as part of a school consolidation. The school had 68 students at the time, the Capital Journal reported. The other property is the Paulus Administration Center, a complex of three properties just outside downtown Salem. The complex houses the district’s data center. Until late 2025, an office building on the property was home to a variety of support workers, including language and translation, graphics and people supporting federal education programs. Marion County property records show the three properties at 1309 and 1310 Ferry St. S.E. and 1340 State St. are valued at about $6 million. Why it matters: Money from the planned sales will offset the $15.5 million the district recently spent buying the old Wells Fargo call center in south Salem. That building will now house the district’s data center. Eventually, it’s to be renovated to serve as a hub for the  district’s alternative education programs. Why schools closed: The district school board voted to close Fruitland and Lake Labish in 2011 as part of a round of budget cuts. Most recently, they housed Behavior Intervention Centers – programs for students to get intensive help with behavior. In early February, students in those programs moved to Straub Middle School. The West Salem school is now home to a Behavioral Health Center, which has more space for students. What’s ahead: The data center now in the Paulus building will be moved by early 2027 to the former Wells Fargo call center that the school district purchased last year.  The sales come as the school district is reviewing its property holdings amid declining enrollment and updating its long-term plan for facilities. Local schools expect to lose about 4,500 students by 2030, the result of declining birth rates and fewer families choosing to enroll kindergarteners in public school. Board members got a first look at that plan during the March 10 meeting. It recommends the district prioritize work including needed HVAC system improvements, roof replacements, adding air conditioning and renovations to the Wells Fargo center over the next five years. The plan also recommends district officials evaluate potential school closures or consolidations, but does not list specific schools that might be considered. Contact Managing Editor Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241. LOCAL NEWS DELIVERED TO YOU: Subscribe to Salem Reporter and get all the fact-based Salem news that matters to you. Fair, accurate, trusted – SUBSCRIBE. The post Salem-Keizer School Board OKs sale of 2 shuttered rural schools appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less