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The Simpson County School Board held a scheduled special call meeting Thursday, December 21, 2017 to discuss the old elementary school property located in Magee, MS.
When the property was first opened for bid, no bids were received. The board re-advertised the property and two bids were received with the highest bid being $2501.00. The board rejected the bid.
Although board members Linda Curlee, District 2, and Dale Shotts, District 3, were not present, a quorum was met for the Thursday night meeting.
A research committee composed of Patrick Brown, Rev. Darnell Moffett, Mayor Dale Berry and City Attorney Bruce Smith was formed seeking avenues of feasibility utilizing the vacant Magee Elementary School Campus located at 5th Avenue NE and Raleigh Drive in Magee.
After the committees findings, the City of Magee approached the school board about deeding the existing property to the City of Magee.
The goal for the property is to continue the educational purpose of the facility by housing the Regional Five County Head Start and providing approximately 40 jobs to the city. The meeting was lengthy with detailed discussion of the property use. Dr. Jonathan Bines, Director for Five County Head Start, addressed the board regarding the intended use of the building and answered questions.
The School board voted in a 3-0 vote to deed the property to the city of Magee to be used for educational purposes . If the property is not used for education purposes property will be re titled back to school district. The City will not profit from the transfer of the school property financially. According to Mayor Dale Berry, “the purpose of the property is to lease the building to Head Start bringing 40 additional jobs to the area. The City of Magee is striving to keep Magee Beautiful and obtaining this property will move the city toward our goal by eliminating a large vacant property.”
The transfer of property to the City of Magee will provide a substantial savings to the school district of $2500 per month in insurance plus expenses incurred for up keep of property.
