“It's been a long time coming,” is how Escambia County (Ala.) Board of Education member Danny Benjamin described the board's unanimous approval of a resolution and execution to convey a deed transferring the property that was Boykin School back to the Charitable Aid Association Orphans Home of the State of Alabama.
Board chairman Willie Grissette read Resolution 103: 'In the opinion of the Board the value of educational and community services provided by the Charitable Aid Association Orphans Home of the State of Alabama exceeds the value of the property to be conveyed to the Charitable Aid Association Orphans Home of the State of Alabama. The Board has determined and agrees that the transfer of the property to the Charitable Aid Association Orphans Home of the State of Alabama would be in the best interest of the children of the Boykin Community and the citizens therein.'
“This is an historical event. What a joy it is for me to sit around this table, knowing we have done the right thing, giving it back to the charitable aid, when they gave it to the board of education originally to use, and when it ceased to be used for school purposes it will revert back to the charitable aid. What a momentous day this is for me and the Charitable Aid Society. I'm just grateful,” said Benjamin.
School Superintendent John Knott said that according to County Commissioner Raymond Wiggins, Escambia County Commissioners have been meeting with the charitable aid group and is in the process of executing a 50-year lease agreement where they are provided not only that property but an expansion that will be a benefit to the community and to the county's commission's people to use. Knott said all the things in the original resolution are being honored by the Boykin group.
“We started working on this a little over four years ago,” said Knott. “It's a good thing to see the pieces finally come together. Its a win-win for the school board, a win for the community and a win for the county commission. That's a good thing.”
In a motion made by board member Benjamin and seconded by board member Coleman Wallace, the motion carried.
In other business, the board unanimously approved:
- Approval to award Bus bids for 71-passenger regular school buses and bid 37-passenger special needs school buses with flat floor and lift to Ward International Trucks for fiscal year 2019 with an extension option. The Escambia County Board of Education reserves the option to extend the bid contract(s) for a maximum of five years. The bid extension is renewable each year and is dependent upon the mutual consent of both parties.
- Approval to purchase at least four 71-passenger regular school buses from Ward International Trucks at a per unit cost of $76,225, utilizing fleet renewal funds for FY2019.
- Approval to purchase at least two 37-passenger special needs buses with flat floor and lift from Ward International Trucks at a per unit cost of $93,357 utilizing fleet renewal funds for FY2019.
- Approval of revised salary schedule.
