Cabell County Board approves conveyance of former Highlawn Elementary to Lily's Place

The Cabell County Board of Education voted unanimously April 15 to declare the former Highlawn Elementary School surplus to district needs and authorized the board president to convey the property by deed to Lily's Place under West Virginia Code §18-5-7b.

Board members made the decision after a period of public comment from Lily's Place representatives and local community leaders who urged the district to transfer the building to the nonprofit. "We want to work with [the Highlawn community] to make Huntington better," said Jody Maiola of Lily's Place. "We will make sure that everything that we're doing is because we care about other people." Olivia Mead, Lily's Place finance director, said the organization intends to be transparent with the community and to provide regular updates if the conveyance proceeds.

Supporters from the neighborhood and local nonprofits also addressed the board. Mark Price, a pastor and president of the Highlawn Community Alliance, said his group met with Lily's Place and sees the transfer as an opportunity to stabilize and revitalize the neighborhood. Janice Stoner of the Palatine Foundation noted prior grant partnerships with Lily's Place in substance-use disorder work and said the foundation would consider continued funding support.

The board motion to convey the property carried with no members recorded as opposed during the meeting. The motion referenced the statutory authority cited on the agenda: West Virginia Code §18-5-7b. Following the vote, board and Lily's Place representatives remained briefly to discuss next administrative steps and coordination.

The board's action transfers responsibility for redevelopment of the property to Lily's Place. The organization told the board it aims to serve infants, families and adults and said Highlawn was not its originally planned site but presents an opportunity to partner with the neighborhood.

Board members did not specify a timetable for deed execution or for any required permitting, renovation or program-launch steps. Lily's Place representatives said they are continuing community outreach and planning and will provide updates to the board as details are developed.

The board's declaration and conveyance vote concludes the agenda item; no formal auction or alternative disposition was taken.