Lawrence school board members on Tuesday continued to express concerns about district plans to sell two buildings to help finance the purchase of a new, $4.1 million administrative building.
In a special meeting, they responded to comments made Monday at the board's regular meeting by member Jack Davidson about the possibility of keeping the current administration building in addition to buying the structure at 110 McDonald Dr.
The district has planned to sell the current administration building at 3705 Clinton Pkwy. for about $1 million and the old India School for $864,000 to help pay for the McDonald Drive facility.
"Say you can't sell one or either of these properties?" Davidson said.
The McDonald Drive site should be used as a warehouse and to consolidate other district services, Davidson said. Administrative staff should stay where they are.
But fellow board member Austin Turney said it would be unwise for the district to own both buildings.
"To retain both administration buildings, here and 110 McDonald Drive, will provoke a firestorm in this community," he said.
Board president James Hilliard said the board would have an opportunity to vote on the McDonald Drive issue Sept. 27. The board then will be asked to formally accept or reject a measure that would close the contract for the building's acquisition.
A $16.6 million bond issue approved by district voters last year earmarked $2.8 million for a warehouse and maintenance shop. There was no money set aside for a new administration building.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.