By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
The Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 11 a.m. Tuesday to talk about the latest plans for the consolidated central office in downtown Salisbury.
Attorney Rod Malone will provide an update after meeting with the Local Government Commission about logistics. The agency must approve the plan in order for the project to move forward.
Leslie Heidrick, the countyís finance director, told the Post last month the proposal in its original form could face some challenges from the state agency, citing the $1.5 million in New Market Tax credits and financing scenarios as potential hurdles.
Malone recently told the school board he feels an the district and the Local Governmental Commission can come up with a plan that both parties agree on.
Malone could not be reached for comment.
During Tuesdayís meeting, the school board will be asked to approve a pre-development agreement, which will allow private developer Bryan Barwick to move forward with the design and planning process.
But the agreement could face some opposition when it reaches the Rowan County Board of Commissioners later this month.
The Rowan County Tea Party Patriots are circulating a petition to oppose the 62,000-square-foot facility.
ěIn this economy a new central office cannot be priority spending when our schools are in greater need of capital improvements, materials and technology,î the petition says. ěThe county and city elected officials, along with the School Board have a moral and financial obligation to the taxpayers, to put the schools first.î
The meeting, which will be held at the Long Street Administrative Office in East Spencer, is open to the public.
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.
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