Update 2/17/23:
Deed for school property now available

Watch the video here:
Newswatch 16's Amanda Eustice shows us the plans for the building in Monroe County.

Author: Amanda Eustice (WNEP)

Published: 4:01 PM EST November 17, 2022
Updated: 4:01 PM EST November 17, 2022

MOUNTAINHOME, Pa. — While it doesn't look like it now, the former Barrett Elementary Center near Mountainhome will soon be the center hub for the community.

Barrett Township officials closed on the property a few days ago. The goal is to turn it into the Barrett Administrative and Recreation Complex.

Update 11/3/22 - Related Article:

• Former elementary center vandalized by group over the weekend (FOX)
• Plans for community center in Monroe County set back by vandals (WNEP)

PLEASE!!! We need your help identifying these individuals. They broke into the Barrett Elementary Center just after midnight Sat night. These photos have been forwarded to PMRPD but if you have any information, please contact the police at 570-895-2400. We are currently under contract to purchase the building and any additional vandalism will just add more time and cost to the clean up and progress in developing what will be an asset to the community.

October 13, 2022
Attention Residents of Barrett Township and Surrounding Communities,

The Barrett Township Board of Supervisors is pleased to announce we are under contract to purchase the Former Barrett Elementary Center. The acquisition of this building and property is the first step in the long term goal outlined in our Strategic Plan (Feb 2019) to “develop a mixed-use community center, which could include recreation, arts, culture, and retail space“.

Update 1/7/2020 @ 10am

I am posting the remainder of the email thread between myself and Karl Stearns that didn't make it into the comments area:

Karl:
1/7/2020 @ 8:45am

My reference to you not understanding correctly was that you stated the Supervisors owned Barrett Elementary School and that is not correct.  The school was owned by the Pocono Mountain School District until it was sold supposedly for “senior housing”—which never materialized.

The whole history of the building of this school and the school in Tobyhanna is convoluted.  We were told back then that the old buildings were no longer “compliant” with laws regulating access by handicapped people.  Mostly because they were multistory buildings with no elevators.  The teachers were propagandizing the issue because the whole drive was to have new schools—nothing else.  Kids were going home armed with talking points to their parents and anyone who would listen about all the poor handicapped children who couldn’t attend school because the buildings were “old”.  I witnessed one young girl it total meltdown with tears and hysterical rambling as she tried to explain it to a group of adults. Amazingly, after the old buildings were vacated, they were eventually used again by the school district for classrooms. 

MLS Listing: PM-74302

This 59,825SF building on 31 acres was built in 1989 as an elementary school. Concept plans provide for 29 apartment units. Plans available. Zoned MU-V. Ideal for senior living facility, group home, etc. Check zoning permitted zoning uses. 

Financial Information
County Assessment: $897,780
Cnty&Muni Taxes: 37,257.87,
School Taxes: 121,460.66
Total Taxes: 158,718.53

Listing & Location Information
Current Price $2,100,000
County Monroe
Municipality/ Twnshp Barrett Township
Transaction Type For Sale
Ann Lease Price/SF 0
Location/ Developmnt Z Not In A Development
Tax ID Number 01638701497227+
Deed Book/Page 2455/198
General Zoning Comm
School District Pocono Mountain

This meeting is of massive importance.  All Barrett and Paradise residents MUST attend to have their voices heard!  There is LOTS of talk regaurding the opening of a Charter School if Barrett is closed.  I and MANY parents are for this.  We need to stand behind our children's education and social well being.  We want to see Barrett succeed and remain open, but if it does not, then a Charter may be our only alternative!  Please pass this information on.  There are people who have been working on this for months now and need our support.  More information will be announced at the hearing, Monday night.