Board moves to convey library parcel to county, set reserves and list surplus school properties

At its April 20 workshop the Madison School Board agreed to convey the portion of the Lee Elementary property that contains the Lee public library to Lee County and directed staff to draft the deed and an easement preserving shared access to Highway 90.

During discussion staff outlined options for disposing of surplus school properties, including listing on the GovDeals auction platform, traditional sale with a reserve price, or rejecting offers in favor of direct sale to local entities. Board members and staff debated insurance, liability while properties remain vacant, and appropriate reserve prices to protect taxpayers.

Staff recommended and the board approved a listing strategy that includes parceling the library site for conveyance to the county, listing the main Lee school parcel with a $500,000 reserve, separate listings for a smaller —3.08-acre —pine tree— tract with a $20,000 reserve, and tiered reserves for Pineta parcels (including $200,000 for the larger school lot). The board also instructed staff to include educational-use restrictions in sales documents and to return with final contracts.

A motion to adopt staff's recommendation was moved by Ms. Thompson and seconded by Mr. Carroll; the board approved the action during the meeting record. Staff said additional logistics, including survey descriptions, insurance terms and fee structures for auction platforms, will be resolved prior to listing.

The board also asked staff to return with clear timelines and to coordinate any conveyance of the library parcel with county officials before final sale of remaining school property.