Community groups press board for Plainview, East Arcadia school properties; board tables formal sale process

Community members asked the Bladen County Board of Education on Monday to speed the transfer of two surplus school properties to local groups, but board attorneys and staff said state law constrains how the district can dispose of school property and the board voted to table final action pending more information.

Joseph Dixon, who identified himself as president of East Arcadia Development, asked the board to “give East Arcadia Development a resolution to acquire East Arcadia community school and property to be used for community use,” saying he had shared paperwork with board members and sought the district’s backing. Another commenter with past experience as a school administrator urged community reuse, noting an earlier facilities estimate of about $2 million in renovations and urging the board to “let us have it for a dollar” and the community repair it.

Superintendent Dr. Atkinson and the board’s attorney reviewed legal options for surplus property, including the requirement that a school system first offer declared surplus property to the county board of commissioners for fair market value, the upset-bid process, and the narrow circumstances in which a governmental lease or transfer at a nominal price is permissible. Board counsel summarized GS 168-274 as a lease statute that applies to leases from one governmental unit to another and explained that leases for $1 per year generally apply only when the transferee is a governmental unit, not a nonprofit.

Dr. Atkinson said staff had solicited appraisal quotes and reported an initial appraisal estimate of about $21,000 for both properties, but noted that obtaining an appraisal creates a public record and can shape public expectations. Counsel advised several available paths: commission an appraisal, list with a real-estate agent, set a minimum opening bid and run an upset-bid process that allows higher offers to be submitted within statutory notice periods, or pursue a lease to another unit of government.

Board members expressed unanimous sympathy for returning buildings to their communities but differed on timing and process. One member argued the board had already signaled support for community groups in a previous resolution and urged staff to replicate the process used when Booker T. Washington property was transferred to Bladen Community College. Another cautioned that the district must follow statute to avoid legal challenges and suggested getting the prior conveyance materials for guidance.

After extended discussion, the board voted to table action item 9.2 to gather documentation (including prior conveyances and the full lease/transfer language used previously), seek counsel review and return with concrete options. The board also scheduled a special-called meeting for June 22 at 6 p.m. to continue the discussion.

What’s next: The district will gather the conveyance documents related to Booker T. Washington, collect appraisal and upset-bid process details, and provide counsel analysis before the June 22 special-called meeting. The board’s tabling vote left the ultimate method of disposition (lease, sale via upset bid, or legislative conveyance) unresolved.