news-record.com

GREENSBORO -- The county school board opted not to extend an option on property they're considering for the southeast area elementary school. The board voted 5-6 against extending the contract on a total of 55 acres near McLeansville through February.

The vote came after a closed session that took the Tuesday night board meeting past 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The option on the property runs out Nov. 30, extending it would have cost the county $5,000. The county will lose $10,000 if it does not purchase the property. The property would cost $637,500.

Purchasing the property has hit several snags since the option was approved. Many parents and residents of the Southeastern Guilford community consider the property part of the Eastern community and fear if the school is built north of I-85, it will eventually serve that community rather than theirs.

With those concerns in mind, the school board directed district officials late this summer to revisit the property search in hopes of finding suitable land south of I-85.

The issue was further complicated when district officials informed the school board two weeks ago the optioned property is likely not suitable for a septic system as originally believed.

Being able to put a septic system on the property made it one of the least expensive options, according to school board member Paul Daniels.

Instead, Daniels and County Commissioner Billy Yow said the board was told it could cost between $200,000 and $2 million to connect the property to Greensboro’s sewer system.