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December
19, 2002
The Catawba
County Board of Education met in a special called session on December
19, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. at the County Schools’ Administration Building
with Chairman Charlie Wyant presiding. The following members were
present: Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Butler, Mr. Biggerstaff, and Mr. Sigmon.
Mrs. Sherrill and Mr. Scott were not present. Also in attendance were
Superintendent Ann Hart, Assistant Superintendents Stephen Hilton and
Joyce Spencer, Attorneys Cynthia Grady and Terry Taylor, and Finance
Officer Sondra Wolfe.
Al Mainess
represented WNNC.
The meeting
opened with a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led
by Mr. Wyant. Board members were updated on the progress of Carol
Scott, wife of Board member Bo Scott.
A motion was
made by Mrs. Butler and seconded by Mr. Biggerstaff to approve the
Consent Agenda as presented. The motion carried.
Public
Hearing:
Attorney
Cynthia Grady conducted the public hearing phase of the meeting for
comments concerning any agenda items. No person present wished to
address the Board on any agenda items.
The
following item of Old Business was transacted:
OB#1:
Assistant Superintendent Hilton and Attorney
Terry Taylor conducted the
discussion
regarding the old St. Stephens Elementary School property. Board
members were given copies of a purchase contract (letter of intent)
submitted by Crescent Resources, a proposed Upset Bid and Purchase and
Sale Agreement and a timeline history of the old St. Stephens Elementary
School property. The building was vacated with the 2001 school year and
contacts regarding the purchase of the property were received and bids
were published for upset bids. Once Venture Properties terminated their
agreement, as directed by the Board, Assistant Superintendent contacted
all previously interested parties. On December 10th, contact
was received from Crescent Resources. Assistant Superintendent and
Attorney Taylor thoroughly discussed the letter of intent from Crescent
Resources and asked for suggestions and/or questions from the Board.
The purchase price submitted by Crescent Resources was $2,250,000.
Members felt there should be a counter offer of $3,200,000 made to the
proposed purchase price. After discussion among the members, suggested
changes to the letter of intent included: under the Inspection Period,
sentence should read ninety days instead of one hundred ninety days;
under Conditions of Closing, move sentence one and three to Inspection
Period, deny Environmental Indemnification – property should be taken as
it; and, break-out sentence two. Mr. Biggerstaff made the motion to
counter offer with Crescent Resources with an amount of $3,200,000 and
to make the recommended changes from members and Attorney Taylor to
revise the intent letter. Mrs. Butler seconded the motion with no
opposition. Assistant Superintendent asked for direction from the Board
of the follow up process. Members directed him to draft letter of
response with changes, review with Attorney Taylor, and then send to
Crescent Resources.
Public
Comments:
Attorney
Cynthia Grady conducted the public comments section of the agenda at
which time no person present wished to address the Board. Upon a motion
by Mrs. Blackburn and seconded by Mrs. Butler, the Board went into
closed session for the purpose of discussing information that is
privileged, confidential or not a public record under federal Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) North Carolina
G.S.143-318.11 (a)(1) for student issues.
CLOSED
SESSION (Separate minutes for closed session are prepared and kept
confidential.)
The Board
returned to open session with a motion by Mrs. Blackburn and seconded by
Mrs. Butler. All members were in favor. Since there were no other
matters of business to be addressed by the Board, Mrs. Butler made the
motion to adjourn. Mrs. Blackburn seconded the motion with no
opposition. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
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Charlie Wyant, Chairman
__________________________
Ann Y. Hart, Secretary
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