Cobb County school board places Comcast lease amendment for former East Valley Elementary on consent

The Cobb County School District Board of Education on Sept. 18 placed on the consent agenda a recommended amendment to the district's Internet data hut lease with Comcast Cable Communications LLC at the former East Valley Elementary site.

Mark Smith of the district's SPLOST department told the board the proposed amendment would extend the data hut lease with two five-year renewal terms and one three-year renewal term, for a total of 13 years, and that "the rental revenue will increase by 15% for each successive renewal term." He said the amendment "comes at no cost to the district" and is the superintendent's recommendation.

Board members pressed staff on whether the cell tower and data hut remain with the district after the property sale. Superintendent Ragsdale replied that "the board's already voted to dispose of the property... That's a done deal," and staff said the current leases will continue through the renewed terms but the district will not renew either the data hut or the cell tower leases past the aligned expiration.

Several members also asked where lease revenue would be directed once received. Miss Sailor asked whether the proceeds would go specifically to East Valley or to a districtwide fund; staff said they would confirm and report back.

The chair moved to place the lease amendment on the consent agenda. With no objections, the item was set for consent consideration; the board did not take further action on the amendment during the work session.