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Board hears DOT easement update; superintendent says negotiated $80,000 settlement will be considered in September
Summary
Polk County Schools superintendent briefed the board on NCDOT plans to widen Highway 9 near Polk Central Elementary, saying DOT will widen away from the school and administration negotiated a proposed settlement of $80,000; the matter was informational and is scheduled for a future vote in September.
Dr. Schweitzer, Polk County Schools superintendent, told the board that the North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to widen Highway 9 in locations that affect land adjacent to Polk Central Elementary School and that the district negotiated a proposed right-of-way settlement of $80,000.
"Primary objective number 1 was that the traveled road surface did not move 1 inch towards Polk Central," Dr. Schweitzer said, adding that DOT agreed to expand the road in the opposite direction away from the school.
He described elements of the DOT package: an initial DOT valuation and an initial offer of $55,150 that factored in land and improvements (fencing, signage and mature trees). After district negotiations the superintendent said the parties settled on a proposed payment of $80,000 to cover land value and the cost of reinstalling improvements the district will need to replace.
Dr. Schweitzer said the easement document and deed will be an actionable item at the September board meeting; at this gathering he presented the informational materials and invited board members to review the DOT right-of-way certificate, valuation materials and deed paperwork. He advised that drainage work and related construction will require some Polk County Schools property temporarily for improvements.
Board members asked about timing and construction impacts. Dr. Schweitzer said DOT plans to let related bridge work in February 2025 and that both the bridge and the Highway 9 projects are most likely to begin construction in 2026 or later; he highlighted environmental constraints — including tree-clearing windows tied to local wildlife (bat) protections — as reasons for the schedule.
Dr. Schweitzer noted the board can accept or reject DOT's settlement when the matter returns for action. "They come back and we can say no," he said, noting he would re-engage DOT negotiations if the board declines the proposed offer.
The board took no vote on the easement at this meeting; DOT granted the district an extension to respond through September, and the matter will return to the board for a formal decision.
