Cabot School Board approves easement, sells house structure and OKs conditional land purchase

The Cabot School Board voted to approve three real-estate items: a 15-foot utility easement for First Electric Cooperative at the Pre-K North site, authorization to sell the residence structure at 710 North Lincoln while retaining the lot, and conditional approval to purchase a roughly 2.5-acre property at 12 Lilly Street for $200,000 plus closing costs if the property appraises at $200,000 or more.

The resolutions affect district property and future construction plans at prekindergarten sites and near the central campus. Board members authorized Superintendent Tony Thurman and Deputy Superintendent Michael Byrd (or their designees) to execute documents necessary to complete each transaction.

Board discussion and staff presentations indicated the easement would have minimal impact on construction at Pre-K North, and that the residence at 710 North Lincoln — which the district owns — will be sold “as is” with a minimum sales price of $1,000 while the district retains the underlying lot for future district use. On the proposed purchase of 12 Lilly Street, the board approved the purchase price of $200,000 plus closing costs on the condition that an appraisal values the property at $200,000 or more.

Superintendent Tony Thurman presented the resolutions and described the legal descriptions and diagrams included in the meeting packet; staff reported the easement was reviewed with the maintenance and construction team and found to have little impact on the Pre-K North project. The board did not record line-by-line roll-call tallies in the meeting transcript; each motion was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The purchase approval includes a standard closing and appraisal contingency; the sale of the structure at 710 North Lincoln removes the building from district inventory while the lot remains owned by the district. Board authorization allows Thurman or Byrd to sign closing documents and accept the highest appropriate bid for the structure sale.

These items were taken as action items during the regular meeting; staff said the easement and property transactions were routine steps to clear right-of-way and to secure land needed for district operations and future facilities. The board did not attach additional funding authorizations beyond the purchase price and customary closing costs for 12 Lilly Street.

Next steps include completing the appraisal and closing for 12 Lilly Street if the appraisal meets the condition, accepting bids and removing the structure at 710 North Lincoln, and recording the granted easement for First Electric Cooperative.