The Montgomery County School Board should prepare to sell or demolish vacant or soon-to-be vacant buildings it owns, the schools’ facilities director, Dan Berenato, said Saturday.

Money from that sale could be used to build needed schools in growing areas such as Blacksburg and Christiansburg, he said during the school board’s two-day retreat this past weekend at the Hotel Roanoke.

Within the next three years, the board expects to have six vacant buildings: the Shawsville Middle annex across from the current Shawsville Middle; Elliston Lafayette, Shawsville and Price’s Fork elementary schools; the Old Blacksburg Middle School; and a 1,000-square-foot house in Blacksburg.

Construction plans are in place to consolidate the Shawsville and Elliston-Lafayette schools. The new building should be open in two years. Also, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors is working on purchasing land to build a new Price’s Fork Elementary School, which could be complete within three years.

Berenato suggested the following for the vacant buildings, pending approval of the board of supervisors:

Shawsville Middle School Annex: Demolish it and maintain the 1.8-acre property. The middle school could use the fields. Board member David Dunkenberger said community members call the site an eyesore.

Elliston-Lafayette Elementary: Sell as surplus property.

Shawsville Elementary: Sell as surplus property. Dunkenberger said some residents have suggested keeping the school for a community and technical education site.

Price’s Fork Elementary: Sell as surplus property.

Ward House in Blacksburg: Sell the house and possibly relocate the structure. Keep the land for a parking area or school play field. The 1930s-era house is on property adjacent to Harding Avenue Elementary School. Since 1969, the school system has rented out the 1,000-square-foot home — called the Ward House — for $150 a month to the last generation of the Ward family. The house is vacant now that the final family member died.

Old Blacksburg Middle School: A years-long debate over what to do with the property could culminate with a design contest, set to begin later this year.

State law allows school boards to sell property it no longer needs and keep the proceeds. But the state requires that money to be placed in a capital improvement fund used only for new school construction, school renovation and major school maintenance projects.

A few school board offices and alternative schools fill the former Christiansburg Middle School, and Berenato suggested keeping that property. The site could be used for a new elementary school later, he said.