The Craven County Board of Education voted unanimously on March 20 to authorize an upset-bid sale procedure for two parcels in Bridgeton that the board previously declared surplus.

Board members adopted a resolution that accepts an initial $200,000 cash offer from a buyer identified in the resolution as Dave Vincent and directs the superintendent to publish notice and accept upset bids under the applicable North Carolina statute. The resolution sets a 60-day closing once a final high bid is accepted and requires a 5% deposit from the initial offer and from any qualifying upset bid.

The resolution, read into the record by board staff, describes the upset-bid mechanics: interested bidders have 10 days after publication of notice to submit sealed competitive offers; a qualifying higher bid must increase the existing offer by at least 10% of the first $1,000 of the offer and 5% of the remainder, and must be accompanied by a 5% deposit. The board also reserved the right to withdraw the property from sale or reject bids before final acceptance.

Board member Stacy presented the resolution and the board entertained a motion “to accept the resolution as presented by Ms. Stacy.” A motion and second were recorded and the roll-call vote was unanimous: Jennifer Dacey, Amy Davis, Darlene Gibbs, Lee Kirkman, Lauren Kitsinger, Patty Mason and Lori Spies all voted yes.

Why this matters: the upset-bid process preserves the board’s ability to obtain the highest lawful offer for district-owned surplus property while complying with North Carolina statute. The resolution specifies procedural requirements — deposit, upset-bid thresholds, public notice and a 60‑day closing for the final accepted offer.

What the resolution specifies:
- Initial offer: $200,000 cash (buyer: Dave Vincent).
- Initial deposit: 5% of the offer due within five business days of the offer being received by the superintendent.
- Upset-bid period: 10 days after the public notice.
- Qualifying-bid increment: at least 10% of the first $1,000 and 5% of the remainder of the prior offer.
- Closing: the board must approve the final high offer and the buyer pays cash at closing within 60 days of board approval.

The board passed the resolution by roll-call vote and authorized district officials to execute instruments necessary to convey the property if no qualifying upset bids are received.