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White County Board OKs sheriff use of Central View school for training, pending MOU
Summary
The White County Board of Education agreed to allow the sheriff’s office to use the closed Central View Elementary School as a training site and possible substation, contingent on a memorandum of understanding to protect district interests and provide an exit clause if the property is needed again.
The White County Board of Education voted to allow the White County Sheriff’s Department to use the closed Central View Elementary School for training and related activities, with the approval conditioned on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the district and the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff Page told the board the department needs a larger, secure training facility and proposed using Central View for training, equipment storage and occasional use as a substation. “We are in desperate need of a training facility,” Sheriff Page said. “We could use it for multiple things and we’d really appreciate y’all’s consideration on that.”
Board members described the proposal as broadly beneficial for public safety and district property protection. A board member noted past informal arrangements that allowed law enforcement to use closed school buildings to provide a presence that discouraged break-ins; the board said a written MOU should formalize responsibilities and include an exit clause should the district need the building again.
Board member remarks and the discussion emphasized three practical points: the sheriff’s office would secure and maintain the property, the district would retain ownership and the MOU would specify how the facility could be reoccupied for school purposes if necessary. Sheriff Page said deputies likely would use the facility frequently for daily workouts and classroom training and that the gym would be a primary space for physical training.
The motion to approve the sheriff’s request, conditioned on a mutually acceptable MOU drafted by district leadership and sheriff’s leadership, passed by voice vote.
The board directed the district director to work with the sheriff’s office on the MOU and present the agreement to the board for formal approval.
The action stops short of transferring any property or changing ownership: board members said any longer-term arrangement or property transfer would require additional approvals and legal documentation.
