The Clarke County Board of Education backpedaled last night on a plan to discuss a contentious redevelopment issue behind closed doors.
Going into Thursday's meeting, the Board of Education had planned to hold an executive session – closed to the public - after their regular meeting in order to discuss three competing proposals for the West Broad School site.
At the start of the meeting, however, board member John Knox introduced a motion to move the discussion of the West Broad site into the agenda of the board’s public meeting. After some discussion, Knox’s motion passed 4 – 2, and each member of the board had an opportunity to discuss the proposals in front of the public.
Board member Sarah Ellis said that many in the community were paying close attention to the West Broad issue.
“We have heard an outcry from our community, we have heard a tremendous amount of support, they absolutely cannot be ignored,” Ellis said.
The Board of Education’s vice president, Linda Davis voted against Knox’s motion, and questioned the need for further public discussion, calling the issue, “a living example where we have bowed to public pressure.”
No vote was taken on moving forward with any of the three proposals. Martin Matheny, WUGA News. The West Broad School location currently houses the West Broad Farmer’s Market. Two of the three proposals received would preserve the market in its current location, while the Clarke County School District proposal does not mention the future of the market.
The Board of Education meeting can be watched in its entirety on the Clarke County School District’s YouTube page, and all three proposals for the West Broad site can be found on the CCSD website. A vote on this issue is possible on June 7th.
School board members also discussed the upcoming FY 2019 budget and other agenda items.
