Board refers Fremont property and a C.B. Aycock parcel to facilities committee for disposition work and survey direction

The Wayne County Board of Education on May 5 rejected all sealed bids for the Fremont School property and referred two related property matters to the facilities committee for further work: (1) establishing auction parameters for the 4‑acre Fremont school parcel and adjacent land and (2) directing staff to arrange a survey and disposition process for a small parcel of land adjacent to the C.B. Aycock campus that an adjacent property owner has requested to buy.

What the board decided: Facilities committee asked the full board to reject the three sealed bids the district received for Fremont School and to consider selling the school parcel and a separate 4‑acre lot by public auction. At the meeting the board voted to reject the bids. Committee recommended and the board discussed resolutions to set auction time, date and a suggested minimum opening bid, but board members said they were not ready to set a minimum or date without additional committee work. The board then voted to refer the disposition resolutions back to facilities so the committee could establish the required parameters and present a recommendation to the full board.

C.B. Aycock parcel: Board members also debated how to handle a separate request from an adjacent landowner who submitted a letter of interest for a small parcel adjoining the Charles B. Aycock campus. The board authorized staff to have the district survey the parcel so the piece to be considered for disposition is clearly defined. Board members discussed who should pay for the survey and whether survey costs should be refundable if the buyer does not acquire the property; legal counsel recommended the board not offer an assurance to refund survey costs. The board ultimately voted to add an agenda item directing staff to survey the C.B. Aycock parcel and to include survey costs in the minimum opening bid for any subsequent disposition.

Why it matters: Property disposition requires the board to follow statutory and local procedures for surplus property and disposition; decisions determine future land use, possible public auction terms, and whether to accept or reject offers. Board members expressed interest in maximizing participation at auction while protecting district interests and complying with legal guidance.

Next steps: Facilities committee will return proposed resolutions with a recommended date, place, and a recommended minimum opening bid (if any) for the Fremont properties. For the C.B. Aycock parcel staff were directed to arrange the survey, and the board indicated survey costs should be included in the minimum opening bid or otherwise recouped if the district proceeds with disposition.