Board directs draft of five‑year leases for volunteer fire departments on school property

The White County Board of Education on Dec. 11 voted to proceed with drafting five‑year lease agreements for volunteer fire departments that operate facilities on district‑owned property.

The chair told members the district has begun deed research and that at least three locations — Caswell, Central View and Bondycroft — are deeded to the White County Board of Education. He moved that the district prepare a five‑year lease, coordinated by the director and fiscal administrator Mr. Markham, to document ownership and the fire departments’ use of the land. "My motion is that we enter into a 5 year lease ... to engage with all the volunteer fire departments that have their facilities on our property," the chair said.

Board members discussed whether the Quebec Community Center property would be included; the chair noted deed research is ongoing and that a decision on properties with unclear title would await the research. The board discussed monetary terms and the chair suggested a nominal $1 lease for five years.

Mr. Smith seconded the motion and the board voted to proceed; the chair said the director and fiscal administrator would draft the agreements and return to the board in January for formal approval. The motion directs staff to prepare lease documents and does not itself transfer property or finalize terms.