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Board approves sheriff's use of Central View facility over objections to two-year exit clause
Summary
The White County Board of Education approved an MOU allowing the White County Sheriff's Department to use the Central View property while it renovates the site, but the 4-3 vote exposed sharp disagreement over the sheriff's requested two-year vacate clause and what timeframe the district should require for reclaiming the facility.
The White County Board of Education approved a memorandum of understanding March 19 that lets the White County Sheriff's Department occupy and use the Central View property at no cost while the department invests in and outfits the site. The motion passed 4-3 after a lengthy debate over how long the sheriff's office should have to vacate the space if the district later needs it.
Director Robert Drombarger told the board the sheriff's office requested a two-year "vacate" window because they planned to invest time and money in the facility. "They want two years to vacate the premises should the school board want it back," Drombarger said while presenting the MOU and the sheriff's position.
Several board members said two years was too long. "I just don't know that I could vote for a two-year exit clause from the sheriff's department," said board member McDonald, who urged negotiating a shorter timeline. Other board members countered that planning and constructing school facilities, or retrofitting an older wing for instructional use, can be a multi-year process and that the district would likely need time to hire architects, engineers and go through procurement if it reclaimed the site.
Chairman Young said the district would not be financially harmed by the arrangement because the sheriff's use would be at no cost, but acknowledged the need to balance the department's operational needs against future facility plans. During discussion, several members suggested compromise timelines such as six months or a year; the board ultimately approved the MOU as presented.
The vote was recorded as 4 in favor and 3 opposed. The board asked staff to document the agreement and proceed with the MOU as approved.
What happens next: With the MOU approved, the sheriff's office will continue its planned build-out at Central View. The board discussed options for triggering reclamation if enrollment trends or facility needs change, and the director said the district would begin any necessary planning if it determined a return of the site was required.
Reported action: Board approved the Central View MOU, outcome: approved (4-3).
