Carter County board approves $288,000 land purchase for potential agriculture center; grants director authority on E‑Rate procurement

The Carter County Board of Education voted unanimously to purchase a 1.8‑acre parcel (Plot A) for $288,000 and to grant Director of Schools Brandon Carpenter authority to make a decision on the district's Internet procurement under the state's five‑year bid cycle.

The board approved the land purchase during the director's report after Brandon Carpenter identified Plot A as a 1.8‑acre property the district is interested in for a possible future agriculture center. Carpenter said the purchase would come from ISM grant funds and that the district had identified external partners who could bring additional resources if the property is secured. The motion to buy the parcel for $288,000 was made by Danny Ward and seconded by Dylan Hill; a roll call vote recorded all members present as yes and the motion carried.

Carpenter also reported that Plot B — about 50.7 acres — had been offered as a donation to the school system. He told the board that closing the Plot A purchase would require standard due diligence including surveys and deed preparation, and he asked for approval to move forward so those steps could be completed before the end of the fiscal year.

Separately, the board considered options tied to the state's periodic Internet procurement and the district's participation in a regional consortia for E‑Rate or state contract service. Gary Oakes described the procurement as a five‑year state bid and said multiple neighboring districts were reviewing their options; Oakes said "there's a chance that we can save almost half of our air conditioning bill" when describing potential savings in the district's communications/utility costs under a new arrangement. He recommended exploring the new procurement option.

The board voted to grant Carpenter discretion to pursue or remain with the district's current provider as appropriate; the motion (to give the director authority on the E‑Rate/rate decision) was made by Tony Garland, seconded by Danny Ward, and approved by unanimous roll call.

Votes at a glance

- Purchase of Plot A (1.8 acres) for $288,000 (funded from ISM grant). Motion by Danny Ward; second Dylan Hill. Roll call: Keith Bowers — yes; Renee Lewis — yes; Tony Garland — yes; Dylan Hill — yes; Gary Oakes — yes; Jeremiah Tolley — yes; Danny Ward — yes; Presiding Officer (name not specified) — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Motion to grant Director Brandon Carpenter discretion on the district's E‑Rate/state Internet procurement decision. Motion by Tony Garland; second Danny Ward. Roll call: Keith Bowers — yes; Renee Lewis — yes; Tony Garland — yes; Dylan Hill — yes; Gary Oakes — yes; Jeremiah Tolley — yes; Danny Ward — yes; Presiding Officer (name not specified) — yes. Outcome: approved.

What happens next

Carpenter said staff will complete required surveys, finalize deed language and return with any additional closing documents. For the Internet procurement, staff will continue negotiations with the consultant and potential providers and report back on cost comparisons; the director was authorized to proceed without awaiting a separate board vote if necessary.

No statutes or ordinances were cited during discussion; the board said the land purchase would be funded by an ISM grant and that additional partner funding remains contingent on securing the property.