Forsyth County approves $50,000 purchase for Ashley Elementary site amid public objections over valuation

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 6 approved a resolution authorizing the Winston‑Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education to purchase a 0.26‑acre lot for a new Ashley Elementary School site for $50,000, with $45,000 for acquisition and $5,000 to cover closing costs and attorney fees. Commissioner McDaniel moved approval; Commissioner Woodbury seconded. The motion carried 6–1.

The board’s action followed a sustained public‑comment period in which multiple speakers urged the commissioners to honor the negotiated sale and objected to suggestions of condemnation. Robert Wilson, a caller who identified himself as a Winston‑Salem resident, referenced local civil‑rights history and asked that the county not reopen past harms: "To even consider imminent domain regarding mister Mays is to reopen the very wounds we claim to be healing," said Karen Kuthill, a resident who asked the board to approve the contract and "honor the agreement that the school system negotiated." Kimberly Mayes, who identified herself as the general manager of Mayes Landscaping and Concrete Incorporated, asked for equitable treatment of minority‑owned businesses and described market comparables to support the sale price.

County staff told the board the action would use budget reserves from the county’s capital funds to transfer $50,000 to the Ashley Elementary capital project. The subsequent agenda item to transfer $450,000 from budget reserve to the same project — intended to establish a guaranteed maximum price estimate and cover architect and construction‑related services — passed unanimously.

Speakers at the meeting also raised broader concerns about process and fairness. Kwamikia Shavers, a licensed North Carolina realtor, argued public comparables showed the purchase price was within market norms and cautioned that a condemnation route would likely still require payment of at least the $50,000 agreed upon in the offer to purchase. Marcy West, a resident and candidate for county commissioner, urged improved coordination and financial oversight between the county and the school system so decisions like property purchases are fully vetted.

The board did not amend the purchase terms during the meeting and did not record further conditions on the authorization. The resolution and the associated capital budget amendments give the Board of Education authority to complete the purchase and to proceed with design and preconstruction work funded by the transferred amounts.

The board’s approval shortens the timeline for the Ashley Elementary project to proceed into preconstruction; additional project funding and procurement steps will follow under separate agenda items.

Provenance: Public comments raising valuation and eminent‑domain concerns began during the public session (first related public comment at 00:11:28). The county manager’s presentation of the resolution and the board vote are recorded beginning at 00:31:32 and the vote outcome at 00:32:33.