District OKs land buy for new school
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on October 8, 2013 1:46 PM
The Wayne County Board of Education voted Monday night to proceed with the purchase of a parcel of land for the proposed Spring Creek Middle School, approved its 2013-14 uniform budget and approved a measure to sell five older modular units as surplus.
Nan Barwick, assistant superintendent for fiscal services, requested approval of the land option to buy the 35.499-acre site, which will be used for the new school. It is currently owned by Edna Garris Stancil and is located on N.C. 111 South and Park Road in the Indian Springs Township.
"The proposed asking price is $212,500," Ms. Barwick said. "We have consulted with DPI (Department of Public Instruction), Fork Township as well as Tri-County to make sure we covered all our bases and made sure we were doing due diligence in the purchase of this land."
Board member Dr. Dwight Cannon asked if Ms. Barwick had everything in writing.
"All of them were verbal conversations," she replied. "I'm sure we can go back and get some type of written documentation."
The board also received copies of the option agreement and summary appraisal report for the site.
Superintendent Dr. Steven Taylor appeared before the county commission last month, obtaining that board's approval to move forward with the purchase. He said the school board paid $2,500 for an option on the property in April. Commissioners also approved the board's request to pay for the land with lottery funds.
The school district also is proceeding with its search for an architect for upcoming projects. Ms. Barwick said the facilities committee met Sept. 17 and interviewed eight candidates. Members have since narrowed down the field to three and the next step is to have the remainder interviewed by the full board.
Several board members indicated they wanted to move quickly in the process so as not to delay the facilities plan further.
"We need to get that process out of the way," Chris West said.
The board agreed and set up a time later this week to bring in the final candidates.
Ms. Barwick also gave a breakdown of the latest budget resolution, discussed last week in a called work session.
The board adopted the budget, which includes a $21 million local appropriation; $5.1 million in local current expense funds; $113 million in state funds; $17.7 in federal grant funds; $9.4 for the child nutrition fund; and $3.8 million for capital outlay.
The board also approved a request to sell five older mobile units currently on the campus of Eastern Wayne Middle School.
"We are asking they be declared as surplus," Ms. Barwick said, explaining that two of the trailers were from 1967, two from 1996 and another obtained in 1994. "We will advertise these for a sealed bid, will advertise them on our website. We will not do an actual auction on this site this go-round."
Board member Arnold Flowers suggested considering a broader advertising approach, possibly through the site "govdeals.com."
"The county just sold some property on govdeals," he said. "I can't really say that I've ever bought anything on it, but I think it's an excellent way to sell it."
Ms. Barwick said she would look into it.