Thursday, January 29, 2009

Tell It Like It Is, Ray: CCSD's "Ruse"

Gasp! Shock! Get the smelling salts! After deciding to close five CCSD schools, the Charleston County School Board doesn't want to sell the "Taj Mahal" after all. [See Board Cool to Sale of 75 Calhoun]

"Board member Ray Toler said he thought it was a ruse that anyone suggested selling 75 Calhoun because no one had any intention of doing that.

"'It doesn't make sense to sell it, but I'd still rather see the school district (headquarters) in another location," he said. "I think there would be less politics.'"

Hmm. Less access by Mayor Riley, that's for sure.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Ray Toler has nailed it. Bill Lewis gave them exactly the report they wanted to hear, but he didn't give them the FULL story. With 2 real estate professionals and 2 attorneys with real estate experience (or so they say) on the board, you would have thought at least one of them would have asked about leasing the building.

Two Charleston City Council members have already said the city offices are spread all over the place in digs with high rents. It would make sense for both the city and the school district for them to come to some agreement that saves taxpayers money. Why not consolidate CCSD offices on the first floor and at Leeds Ave.? Let the city consolidate some of its offices on the 2nd floor and bring together all those now spread all over downtown. Of course some commercial real estate brokers might stand to loose some tenents. Would there be a conflict of interest for some board members if they had to seriously look at this alternative?

We need single member districts before the next election. Maybe then we will get school board members who are answerable to the voters and not to special interests.