School board approves sales-tax interlocal with Halifax County, leaves percentage blank to allow negotiation

The Wellesley School Board of Education voted to approve an interlocal agreement with the Halifax County Board of Commissioners to share local sales tax revenue, leaving the percentage of funds the district will receive blank and authorizing Superintendent Dr. Shotwell and Attorney Malone to negotiate a higher share.

Board members debated accepting the 50% return the county approved this morning versus approving the agreement with the percentage left blank so district staff can negotiate. A staff member said the district had requested 100% return but the county offered 50% and said the district could either accept 50%, approve a blank agreement and continue talks, or approve a blank and seek a revised percentage later. The staff member added: "We had we had requested that, 100% of it come back to school system for other projects. The commissioner this morning approved that 50% of it would come back as part of their kind of proposal to the board." (Staff member)

"I I'm in favor of approving it, but with a blank," Odie Sykes said, arguing the district needs a higher percentage given capital needs in Weldon. "The 100% would be good, but 50, given our needs in Weldon, we definitely need more than 50%." (Odie Sykes)

The staff member estimated that if the district eventually recouped the full share, the anticipated amount would be about $1,200,000, roughly 2% of the guaranteed maximum price tied to the recently approved construction contract. After discussion, the board approved a motion to accept the interlocal agreement with the percentage left blank and to authorize Dr. Shotwell and Attorney Malone to continue negotiations and bring any revision to a future meeting. The motion was moved by Donna Harrison and seconded by Eva (Edith/Eva) Jenkins; the clerk recorded the roll-call vote as "ayes have it."

The decision allows the county and district to sign the interlocal with the percentage field open while staff pursues a higher share for Weldon City Schools. Board members asked for continued updates and representation at county commissioner meetings so the district can advocate for a larger return to school projects.

The board moved on to other business after the vote; staff said any renegotiated percentage would be brought back at a subsequent meeting for board approval.