School board authorizes sale of Gerard property; administration says purchaser will cover attorney fees, sale price reported as $1

The Coldwater Community Schools Board of Education on a voice/roll-call vote authorized the sale of the district's Gerard property and directed Superintendent Paul Flynn to execute the purchase agreement.

The board passed a resolution that waives certain award policies or bylaws related to district real-property sales and authorizes the superintendent or his designee to complete the transaction. During discussion, Superintendent Paul Flynn said the purchaser agreed to cover attorney costs needed to complete the paperwork and that keeping the parcel offered no operational benefit to the district.

"They're covering their attorney cost for making sure all the paperwork is done correctly," Paul Flynn said when asked about the buyer's contribution to closing costs. Members asked about sale price; after initial negotiating language, a board member observed, "But the price was a dollar." The chair confirmed that the negotiated monetary consideration was one dollar while explaining there must be a monetary value recorded for the transfer.

Board members moved and supported the resolution and, following a roll-call, the motion carried. Administration said the district had discovered the parcel remained in the district's name despite long-term use by the neighboring property owner, and retaining the parcel created potential insurance and liability concerns.

The resolution includes authorization for the superintendent to execute the purchase agreement and rescinds any conflicting earlier resolutions. No escrow closing date, purchaser name or attorney-fee amount was recorded in the transcript; the board did not provide additional public financial terms beyond the statements above.

The board proceeded to other agenda items and adjourned at the meeting's conclusion.