Madison County School Board asks staff for parcel maps, to revisit proposals for three surplus schools; workshop set after Aug. 18 meeting

MADISON COUNTY, Fla. — The Madison County School Board on Aug. 4 reviewed proposals to acquire three surplus elementary school properties — Greenville, Lee and Pinellas — and directed staff to prepare parcel maps, consider dividing parcels and return with recommendations. The board scheduled a follow-up workshop to be held immediately after its regular meeting on Aug. 18; no final conveyance decision was made at the workshop.

Board counsel described the legal framework for disposing of surplus school property and cautioned members that the meeting was for discussion only. "You can't make any final decisions today," said Mr. Reeves, board counsel, explaining the board would need to give staff instructions so a draft conveyance contract could be returned for a later meeting.

The workshop included three formal proposals and multiple community presentations. Donna Hayes West, town manager for the Town of Lee, presented a municipal proposal accompanied by a resolution of intent and a request for right of first refusal; she said the town prefers a public-to-public transfer and proposed deed restrictions or a reverter clause to ensure continued public use. "This is about public land,…