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Residents urge preservation of East Arcadia school as county declines to purchase property
Summary
A resident delegation asked Bladen County commissioners to help preserve the soon‑to‑be‑surplus East Arcadia school as a community hub. The board reviewed statute guidance and voted not to acquire the property, saying nonprofits and the school board must next pursue options under state law.
A group of East Arcadia residents asked the Bladen County Board of Commissioners to help keep the soon‑to‑be‑surplus East Arcadia school available for public benefit, saying the building has long served as a community hub.
The public commenter told the board that two local organizations are prepared to work with county leaders to "ensure that this school continues to benefit the public good," and added, "The school has been a safe hub for the community for a long, long time and we are hopeful that it will continue to be a safe hub for the community." The remarks were made during the meeting’s public‑comment period.
County staff reminded commissioners that Bladen County Schools recently declared the property surplus. Under North Carolina General Statute 115C‑518, the school board must offer surplus school property to the county first at fair market or a negotiated price before disposing of it under Chapter 160A procedures. Staff asked the board whether it wished to purchase the property or issue direction for negotiations.
After discussion about the building’s upkeep costs, competing capital needs, and the statutory process for nonprofit purchases, commissioners moved to decline acquiring the property. Commissioners noted that the school board may offer the site for purchase to nonprofits or follow statutory sale procedures; several members said they would like the school board to provide more information at a civil, fact‑focused community meeting so that interested parties understand options and constraints.
What’s next: The board’s vote to decline purchase does not prevent nonprofits or other eligible buyers from pursuing purchase from the school board. County staff said they will accept information from community groups and pass it to the appropriate officials, and the school board retains discretion under the statute to negotiate sale terms or offer the property for other public‑purpose uses.
The meeting record shows the board approved the motion not to acquire the East Arcadia facility; no purchase price was discussed and the transcript indicated maintenance and upkeep costs were a primary concern.
