About a dozen people stood outside the old Oak Glen stadium in Newell Saturday to protest against the Hancock County Board of Education.

The board members are looking to sell the property, and the Chester Volunteer Fire Department has expressed interest for months.

"We've tried to work with the school board to get them to agree to us to purchase the field here and keep it for the community and of course our own use for two weeks a year," said Fire Chief John Hissam. "For whatever reason, we haven't been able to make it work. We purchased the city park in Chester 50-something years ago and turned it over to the city. So, we know what we're doing and what it's all about."

Protest organizers said the stadium has a lot of historic value to residents and school alumni. They say they feel the issue is being brushed off.

"I think they should put aside their own agendas, take the offer that the fire department has made and sell it to the fire department, so that it can remain a community fixture," said Jackson Wilson, the protest organizer.

Hancock County Schools Superintendent Suzan Smith said, "The board has been working on it and had several meetings to do what's best for the schools and the community within the confines of the law." She continued to explain that the process is "very difficult. Board members are working hard to get resolutions and have progress on the sale."

"We have offered them $300,000. We offered them $150,000. We bid $50,000 when there was no one else to bid," said Hissam. "We've done everything we can do to actually get a hold of the property and keep it for the community."

The board originally had a meeting scheduled for Nov. 30 to auction off the property, but Smith said that auction is postponed. She also said the board wants to keep their options open. Protesters said they will continue to make their voices heard at board meetings.