Isenberg acres may help fill future needsBy Kathy Chaffin
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education members made it clear Monday night that they are not interested in selling any land beside of Isenberg Elementary School.
A letter of intent by an undisclosed buyer confirming an interest in purchasing 15 acres was included in the agenda packets for board members. The purchaser offered to pay a $20,000 earnest money deposit on the property and $35,000 an acre for a total purchase price of $525,000, according to the letter.
A representative of Southern Real Estate was at the meeting and said more specific information would be provided if the board was interested in selling the property.
Gene Miller, assistant superintendent for operations, told board members the school system owned 40 acres adjacent to Isenberg’s 18-to-20 acre site.
Board member Kay Wright Norman pointed out that the adjacent property had been mentioned as a possible site for a new middle school in the future. “Do we need to be looking at selling property when we have a need to build?” she asked.
In answer to a question by Chairman Dr. Jim Emerson, Miller said a new middle school would require about a 20-acre site. Board member Bryce Beard pointed to a map of Isenberg and the adjacent property, noting the increase in residential development in the area which he said would ultimately lead to higher attendance.
When Emerson asked for a motion requesting more information on the undisclosed buyer’s plans for the property, no one responded. Hearing none, he said there appeared to be no interest in selling the property.
As for the next matter on the agenda, board members voted unanimously to approve a request from the city of Salisbury for an 8-foot permanent easement around Salisbury High School and a temporary 20-foot construction easement for the installation of sidewalks.
Miller said the sidewalks will include areas on Wilson Road, Locke Street, West Thomas Street, Caldwell Street, Taylor Street and Lincolnton Road. The city was awarded a grant to pay for the construction, he said.
Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4249.