The Richland County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to move forward with the Richland School District’s offer to purchase two campus buildings — Melville Hall and the gymnasium — and directed staff to continue negotiations on property lines, easements and access for county programs.

Board members debated public process and transparency before the vote. Several supervisors asked for additional public forums where citizens could comment. County staff confirmed the district will pay survey costs for the parcels it seeks to acquire and that the parties expect written easements to preserve the county’s continued use of Simons parking and signage. County staff also described plans to pursue a grant‑funded road from Hyde Drive to the Simons parking area and, if feasible, convey that new street to the city to support future access and development.

Why it matters: The proposed sale transfers campus real estate from the county to the school district and affects parking and access for county programs that use Simons and nearby facilities. The board’s vote to proceed begins the formal conveyance process and sets terms staff must negotiate in writing.

What the board decided

Following closed‑session discussion and public comments that urged openness, the board voted to proceed with the school district’s offer and to authorize staff to negotiate and document survey lines, permanent easements preserving county access to Simons parking and a plan to use grant funds to construct a road connection to Hyde Drive.

The motion to proceed was made by Supervisor Perry and seconded by Supervisor Manning. The matter was decided by roll call; the vote contained a majority of ayes and several nays (roll‑call responses were read into the record). The school district’s written offer sets the district — not the county — to pay survey costs for the land the district acquires.

Context and next steps

Board members asked staff to arrange a public meeting with the school district to answer community questions and to publish the proposed property lines and easement locations. Staff said they will prepare draft easement language that guarantees the county perpetual access to Simons parking, including maintenance and signage responsibilities, and will seek final approval at a future county board meeting after survey work and draft documents are complete.

Ending: The board’s decision directs staff to continue negotiations and to return to the county board with finalized survey lines, easement language and any needed intergovernmental agreements for formal approval.