Exeter Board Approves $53,000 Sale of East 40th Street Parcel After Questions About Valuation

The Exeter Township School Board voted on Dec. 16 to accept a conforming sealed bid of $53,000 from James Flood for a parcel on East 40th Street after extended discussion about the property’s valuation, zoning constraints and legal implications of rejecting bids.

Board members and administration described the parcel as effectively non‑subdividable under current township zoning, which administration and the district’s appraiser said lowers market value. Trustee questions focused on why the board reopened bidding at a $50,000 opening bid (roughly half of an earlier $100,000 estimate) given prior unsuccessful auctions.

Solicitor Debbie Montaigne (as recorded) advised the board that it may reject all bids if legally justified but that doing so could expose the district to limited legal risk only in narrow circumstances, such as when a presumptive bidder had taken substantial steps in reliance on the sale. “In the absence of that sort of fact pattern, there really is very little risk,” she said.

The board held a roll‑call vote after discussion. Recorded responses: Dr. Andrea Battler — No; Deborah Bloom — Yes; Joseph Cook — Yes; John Fiddler — Yes; Dr. Anne Herring — Yes; Jason Mill — Abstain; Travis Odom — Not present; Julia Schaefer — Yes; Allison Wilson — Yes. The motion advanced with six yes votes and carried.

Why it matters: Trustees who voted to sell said the board had previously authorized administration to pursue a sale and that the current conforming bid represents progress from unsuccessful earlier attempts. Trustees who opposed or abstained cited the permanent loss of district land and the relatively low price as reasons for caution.

Next steps: The sale was approved on the record; the motion language and roll‑call vote indicate the board will proceed with closing under the terms of the conforming bid and applicable procurement requirements.