Georgetown County wants to breathe new life into the old Beck Middle School gym, which has sat nearly unused behind the school district offices on Church Street for nearly a decade.
But, the Georgetown County School Board is not in total agreement on the plan to lease the building to the county for nearly nothing.
The proposed 25-year, one-dollar-per-year lease was the topic of lively discussion by the board Tuesday night.
The lease states the building — part of the former Beck Middle School which became Georgetown Middle School in 2001 — will be used as a gym, fitness center as well as for classroom space for community programs.
Board member Benny Elliott said he cannot support a $1 year lease because the school district — unlike the county — does not have the power to increase taxes as a way to generate needed revenue.
“This should be a ten year lease for $20,000 per year in cash or $30,000 in in-kind services. They have a $350 million Capital Improvement project,” Elliott said. “If anyone else wanted that building, we wouldn’t be doing it for $1 a year.”
Elliott reminded the board the county also has a $6,000 impact fee for new construction that generates funds which the school board cannot impose.
He also stressed the district has given the county several buildings such as the old Bynum School which is now the Sheriff’s Office, the old Choppee School which is a medical facility, the former Winyah gym and the Winyah Auditorium.
“About anything they wanted, we have given them for $1 a year,” Elliott said.
Board member Teresa Bennani said she is concerned about renewing the contract because it has been passed back and forth between the district and county for months.
Superintendent Dr. Randy Dozier said the building has only been used for storage for years and will cost “in the six figures” to get in shape to be used by the public which would be paid by the county.
After a series of motions were made and failed to be approved, it was decided to form a four-person committee to meet with the county about the lease if the county is willing to continue the talks.
There was also an item on the agenda to renew the district’s lease with Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. for the use of a portion of Building C, located next to the Howard Adult Center.
The Head Start Program — for three and four year old children— has been in the building for five years and it’s time for the contract to be renewed.
Elliott brought up the same concerns, saying Waccamaw EOC has money they can pay the district something for the building.
Since he was concerned the motion to approve the lease may fail, Dozier asked that the item be tabled. The board agreed to that request.
Board and employee furloughs
Without discussion, the board unanimously approved a motion to suspend its pay for one month.
Currently, the board members earn $6,719 annually while Chairman Jim Dumm earns $9,406.
That equals a pay cut of $783 for Dumm and $560 for the other board members.
It was also decided the previously announced half-day furloughs for 190 day teachers and 190-205 day classified workers will take place May 29.
Principals will be furloughed June 4 and other administrators will be furloughed March 19.
By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com
|
How about a proposal for the county to pay for 2 teacher furlough (PAY CUT) days/year for all teachers and affiliated staff, for each year of use of the facility? After all, isn't it about educating our kids...they will be the ones paying off our debt that we are accumalating. For our kids sake who are in K-12 and pre-K/headstart programs, shouldn't the school officials find methods of generating revenue to avoid teacher pay cuts? Wouldn't it be a benefit to a broader population (remember to count our kids in the classroom) to spend our tax dollars this way instead of on such projects as those listed below? Posted by on 2/11/2010 |
|
Dont give it to the county! They are all for freebies but they are taxing people to death and not using it for much in Georgetown. They spend the money in the North end of the county on bike paths and for multi million dollar boat ramps that are a huge waste of money. Posted by on 2/7/2010 |
|
I think Mr. Elliot should check and see exactly how much the IMPACT FEES have brought in, before tossing that deal killer around. This building sits on the School Districts land and headquarters, therefor we do not need them to get into a situation that ends up like the Auditorium where much legal wrangling was done to undue illegal wrangling. They cannot sell it so what are their other options? The County taxpayers bought this building and the others he mentioned. The school district just gets their portion through taxation so let the building become something productive for the community. I think County council should pass a resolution that any defunct school building be passed back to the county with someway of providing service to those who paid for it. This thing has sat dormant for that long and someone wants to do something positive with it and all of a sudden it is a goldmine. Would this man rather it be condemned and gone? Posted by Lee Padgett on 2/4/2010 |
|
Does the school district pay taxes for the property and buildings it owns? Maybe the city and county can offer a deal? Posted by on 2/4/2010 |
|
Hmmm. Head Start is an education program for young children. Gee, could there be a better use of school district buildings? As I think about it while preparing to pay my taxes this year, doesn't the property actually belong to the taxpayers of the county? As one of the co-owners of the property, I want you to let them use it for free. Posted by Tax Payer Too on 2/4/2010 |
|
$ 6719.00 a year to be a board member? That sounds like a gravy train to me. Posted by on 2/4/2010 |
|
What's up with this Elliot fellow? You have a building in town that has been derelict for years. Someone wants to use it and is willing to pay for renovations. It the use is for the good of the community and their plan is sound, then let them use it! Posted by County Tax Payer on 2/4/2010 |
Leave a Response
Gtowntimes.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Gtowntimes.com cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not gtowntimes.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Post a Comment
Latest Polls
- Most Viewed
- Most Commented
- Walker Inman, multi-millionaire heir of Duke fortune dead at 57
- 200 locals to join pollution suit against International Paper
- Scoville: 'We definitely are not becoming a ghost town'
- Accident involving ambulance results in minor injuries
- New virus symptoms hit Strand, many are sick
- Georgetown's finance director back at work
- Two local churches mourn the loss of pastors; Funeral set for LC3 leader
- Higharket Street store owner charged with counterfeiting
- Whale dies on local beach
- Crews battle Maryville brush fire; No injuries and no homes damaged (Updated)
- Scoville: 'We definitely are not becoming a ghost town' (35)
- Sampit pollution: City tries to avoid big fines (27)
- 200 locals to join pollution suit against International Paper (26)
- Georgetown's finance director back at work (14)
- State ruling: Georgetown is discharging too much pollution into Sampit River (13)
- Georgetown mayor to guest on National Public Radio show Friday morning (11)
- WELCOME TO THE 'HAMMOCK COAST' — OUR BRAND NAME (10)
- Native blames paper plant for bronchitis, cancer, stroke (10)
- County jobless rate rises to 15.3% (9)
- Researcher: Local economy may not recover for years (7)
