The Ypsilanti Public Schools Foundation could be looking at Forest School as a new location for its resale shop.

The shop, which sells donated clothes, furniture and toys to help fund college scholarships, might use empty classroom space not being occupied at Forest, said Foundation executive director Hank McQueen.

Speaking at Wednesday’s Board of Education retreat meeting, McQueen urged board members to consider repurposing the empty space, which is being used for storage.

McQueen said the shop makes enough profit to sustain the current facility and its employees, with a small amount left over for scholarships and mini-grants for district teachers. He did not have the exact figures on-hand, but said the funds for scholarships are depleting and a change in venue to a more viable area could help.

“We have become a vital part of the district and the community,” McQueen told the board.

The shop’s current location is just northeast of Eastern Michigan University’s campus at 800 Railroad St. It connected to the Ypsilanti school district Transportation Department building. Forest School is located at 1076 Ecorse Road on Ypsilanti’s east side.

Trustee Andy Fanta encouraged board members to give the space needed to the foundation.

“Lets do something where we are thinking down the road in a very positive fashion,” Fanta said, “and encouraging this organization to grow.”

McQueen said he would like to see a space between 6,000 and 8,000 square feet dedicated for the resale shop at Forest, which has an unused portion of the school with its own parking lot and separate indoor area.

Superintendent Dedrick Martin said the foundation uses the current location rent-free and it will stay that way if the board decides to change the shop’s location to another district-owned facility.

No action was made at the retreat, but board members expect to make a decision about the relocation of the resale shop soon.

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Contact reporter Danny Shaw at 734-623-2544 or dannyshaw@annarbor.com.