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Superintendent presents property-sale timeline; district seeks U.S. Department of Education release of ESSER funds and fights to preserve roof project funding
Summary
The superintendent presented a proposed timeline for selling district property and told the board the district is seeking federal release of ESSER funds. She said a $3 million roof project and ESSER obligations are at risk and asked the board whether they wanted appraisals or to use a realtor; the board deferred a decision.
MADISON, Fla. — Superintendent Dr. Karen Pickles presented a proposed timeline for disposing of district property and briefed the board on two major facility funding issues: a request to the U.S. Department of Education to release ESSER funds and obligations tied to a central-school roof project she said risked becoming ineligible.
Pickles told the board she had consulted CRA and the district attorney about options and noted the board could choose whether to obtain an appraisal before advertising property for sale. "He said, we did not have to get the appraisal. So, that's up to the board if they so choose to go ahead and get the appraisal," Pickles said. Board members said they wanted more time to review the proposed timeline and process before directing staff to proceed.
A lawyer present noted that appraisals for a small-town schoolsite can be difficult because comparables may not exist, but cautioned the board that appraisals can provide documentation to justify price if members face public scrutiny over a sale.
Pickles also said the district recently received notice that federal ESSER funding disbursements had been stopped and that she was working with the Florida Department of Education to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Education to release the funds. "We're having to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Education to release the funds because they have stopped the funding on the ESSER," she said.
She told the board the chiller/ESSER matter and a central-school roof project could leave the district responsible for large sums if federal or state obligations are not met; she identified the roof project as nearly $3,000,000 and said ESSER-related encumbered funds were roughly $1.6 million. The board did not take action and asked the superintendent to return with additional information and to consult further with the attorney and DOE.
No vote was taken on a sale method. Board members said they planned to review the materials and, if they wished to proceed, would consider whether to obtain appraisals, engage a realtor or advertise for offers. The superintendent said the board retains the right to reject any or all offers once the process begins.
