SALISBURY — The Rowan County Board of Commissioners’ plan to create a west branch of the Rowan Public Library got a bit more complicated on Wednesday.

The commissioners have planned to turn the now-closed Cleveland Elementary School’s media center and auditorium into the west branch library. First, the school system would demolish parts of the school that commissioners are not interested in using, including a free-standing brick building that could be used as an EMS station. One week ago, the commissioners agreed to accept the school property after partial demolition by the school system.

Now, they may need to take responsibility for the demolition, too.

After some debate about the cost of the demolition and county government’s plans, the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education on Monday voted 5-2 to send the property back to the county commissioners with the caveat that they must complete the partial demolition and take responsibility for the costs if they plan to use portions of the building. Otherwise, the school board would demolish all buildings on the property.

“If the county wants the EMS station and the library, it shouldn’t fall on our backs to tear it down,” said school board member Travis Allen, who voted for sending the property back to the commissioners.

It doesn’t make sense for the commissioners, who approve local funding for the school system, to ask RSS to pay for partial demolition of a building the county would use, Allen said.

“The county has the right of first refusal,” Allen said, noting that the school board is seeking to declare the Cleveland site surplus property. “They either want the property or don’t want the property.”

Board member Dean Hunter, who made Monday’s motion and voted for it, expressed similar concerns, saying it’s “illogical” for the school board to be required to pay for demolition of a property that the county wants. It seems the school board is constantly trying to save money when it meets, Hunter said.

School board Chairman Josh Wagner, who voted with Vice Chairwoman Susan Cox against the motion, said tax dollars would be spent regardless of whether it’s by the school board or the commissioners.

Assistant Superintendent for Operations Anthony Vann said the cost to demolish the entire school, including the property the commissioners want, is $320,493. The cost to partially demolish the former Cleveland Elementary is $282,993.

Vann said there’s money earmarked in the school system’s capital fund balance for full demolition, but that RSS could also use about $1.1 million in contingency funds from construction of the new West Rowan Elementary School.

Contact Editor Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4248.