Henley's bill seeks publicity of school sales
By HOLLY WISE
Staff Writer
State Rep. Melvin Henley, D-Murray, has submitted a bill to the education committee regarding the disposal of real and personal property owned by local school boards.
The bill states that prior to the disposal of such property, a public hearing should be held “to determine whether the property is no longer needed.” The bill goes on to say that “all real property declared surplus shall be sold by sealed bid or public auction upon thirty days of the time and place of the sale.”
The bill comes on the heels of the September sale of six acres behind Murray High School to a local developer by the Murray Independent Board of Education. The sale of the property drew criticism from neighboring residents who are seeking a court ruling that a 1976 Kentucky Attorney General's opinion be ruled as “improper.”
That 1976 opinion stated that school districts could sell property through fair market value following an assessment, public auction or sealed bids.
Per those guidelines, MISD had the property assessed at $77,000 and sold it. The Kentucky Department of Education backed the process and sale.
“The public was surprised when the land was sold and no one knew anything about it,” said Henley.
Henley said the issue is past history and he's not taking sides in the matter. However, he said, “the intent of my bill is to give a clear cut methodology about how you have to dispose of real property, which is a little more visible to the general public then selling surplus computers.”
“If this is the way the legislatures think it should be disposed of, then they can pass the bill,” MISD Superintendent Bob Rogers said. “We've gone with the guidelines they've given us and if they change the guidelines, we'll go with the new guidelines.”
According to Henley, the public should be involved in such decisions “if for nothing else, just the perception that they have a say in the matter.”
Henley called on his experience as former mayor, which he said prompted him to think that there ought to be a “cleaner cut delineation of how that should be done at all levels.”
The education committee hasn't met yet to review the education bills but Henley encourages the public to share its opinion so he can present what some of the pros and cons are before the committee.
“If anyone does have an interest one way or another, I always try and listen to the constituency out there and I'll certainly take their views into consideration.”
Henley can be reached at melvin@melvinhenley.com.
Story created Jan 16, 2008 - 12:37:35 EST.
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