CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) — Cortland’s Parker school is getting new use.

City officials are working with the Cortland Enlarged City School District, which is leasing the building to accommodate student classrooms while another school building is renovated. The lease lasts for two years.

In a statement, Mayor Scott Steve calls it a “win-win opportunity.” The Franklin S. Barry school needs ‘substantial’ renovation work, according to district officials.

In 2018, the Parker Elementary School on Madison Street was shut down because of dwindling enrollment, and Cortland purchased the building in 2021. Previous efforts at finding new owners and occupants for the school, which is still being maintained by the city, have failed.