Marion County, Town of Reddick move to formalize public use of Reddick Collier court via interlocal agreement

The Marion County School Board on Nov. 6 directed staff to begin drafting an interlocal agreement with the Town of Reddick to allow town management and public use of a basketball court that sits outside the campus’ secure perimeter at Reddick Collier Elementary.

District staff told the board the front-court sits inside the site’s outer chain-link perimeter but outside the campus’ black security fencing, which prevents students from using it during school hours and has prompted students to climb fences to access a better court behind the campus. School leaders and town officials have discussed either selling the small parcel, leasing it long-term, or executing an interlocal agreement that grants the town priority use while the district retains title.

Attorney Powers advised the board that a quitclaim deed or sale would require a board resolution declaring the parcel unnecessary for educational purposes and a survey, and that any transfer must preserve utility and access easements the district may need in the future. Staff said a lease would be more flexible but still require clear terms about liability and maintenance; staff recommended an interlocal agreement as the least disruptive option when a local government is the proposed user.

Board members said they preferred keeping ownership with the district while granting the town a use agreement to avoid a survey and to preserve the district’s ability to reclaim the site if instructional needs change. Board members also asked staff to return with estimates of costs the district would incur, notably fence relocation work to carve the front-court out of the secure area, and an assessment of any implications for utilities or easements.

Next steps: staff will prepare a draft interlocal agreement and a proposed meeting schedule with Town of Reddick officials; facilities will compile a cost estimate for fence relocation and any minor site work; legal will prepare the resolution and draft documents required by statute if a future quitclaim is considered. The board did not vote to convey the parcel at this meeting; it gave direction to pursue an ILA and report back with concrete terms for a later vote.