Board approves milestones to begin advertising district property for sale

The Madison County School Board approved milestones to begin advertising surplus district property and to solicit proposals, the board chair said after a 4-0 vote.

Board discussion clarified that the district removed an appraisal and realtor requirement from the initial milestones; the plan approved instructs staff to wait for a Department of Education update expected the week of the meeting before formally advertising. Board members discussed a 21-day advertisement period as a likely timeline but said they could adjust timing to retain schools into the fall term to allow time for educational needs to be finalized.

Board members asked whether district-owned equipment would be surveyed before advertising. Staff confirmed facilities will be inventoried so district-owned items purchased with grant funds can be retained or moved to other district sites. A staff presenter said prior practice in other districts included an advertisement clause reserving the district’s right to remove personal property and equipment from the facility prior to transfer; anything left could transfer with the property but vendors would not be required to accept personal property.

A staff presenter said the district will accept proposals that could be cash offers or proposals for community use; the board must make a decision in the “best interest of the public,” the presenter said. Board members agreed a workshop will be added after advertisement to review proposals. Miss Knight moved to accept the disposition milestones; Miss Hagan seconded. The motion carried, 4-0.

The motion did not commit the district to use an appraiser or realtor; board members said they could request an appraisal at a later point if desired. No sale price, property list or RFP text was presented at the meeting.