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Cannon County board discusses possible $350,000 purchase of land next to elementary and middle schools
Summary
Board members debated whether to pursue buying the Hoover property adjacent to Cannon Elementary and Middle School for $350,000, with supporters citing future space needs and opponents raising budget concerns and the need for a county budget amendment if fund balance is used.
Cannon County Board of Education members discussed whether to pursue buying the parcel known as the Hoover property — land adjacent to Cannon Elementary and Middle School — for $350,000 during a workshop Wednesday.
The board heard multiple members urge action while other members warned the district’s budget is tight and recommended caution. One board member called the opportunity “a chance I didn’t think we’d ever have again” and said the parcel would relieve ongoing site constraints around the schools. That speaker said a middle school could fit on the property and predicted the land would likely appreciate in value.
Other board members questioned whether the district should spend the money now while budgets remain constrained. One member said the purchase “is money towards these other… everything budgets is I know as tight as it is,” and noted federal and state funding changes that complicate budgeting.
Board members discussed financing options. One member said an administrator suggested using fund balance for the acquisition. A board member clarified that using fund balance would require a budget amendment approved by the County Commission before the district could spend the money.
Legal and site details remained incomplete in the workshop discussion. A staff member said the district’s attorney had contacted the property owner and that the seller had previously followed up in January; the board had not yet discussed a response. Questions raised by board members included whether utility lines or poles crossed the parcel; speakers said they did not have a definitive answer at the meeting.
No final decision was recorded in the workshop. Board members agreed to continue discussion and to seek additional information — including input from the district attorney and clarification about utilities, available fund balance, and any required County Commission actions — before taking formal action.
The land discussion took place as Agenda Item 10 in the April 10 workshop. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, at Cannon County Elementary (per the workshop announcement).
