Not getting fair value from Jim Black?

http://venitapeyton.com/2009/07/what-else-doesnt-wake-school-board-know.html

Every trained local government manager will tell you that they do not have the authority to accept real estate without the governing board's approval. So, the Superintendent of Wake County Public Schools did not have the authority to accept real estate from convicted former NC House Speaker Jim Black without approval from the Wake County School Board.

This would be like members of the Raleigh City Council reading the News and Observer one morning to discover that the City now owns a swamp in Martin County. It isn't done that way.

So it's surprising that the entire Wake County Board of Education was not informed of a deal while IN the works. Their approval was neither sought nor granted in accepting the land gift.

Which points back to a part of my earlier announcement that some board members are a little too cozy with staff. And why I’m asking to be seated on the board.

There should not be blurred lines between what staff’s role is versus the board’s authority. In the meetings I’ve attended, the board has always gone into closed session. These meetings are generally to discuss matters prior to an open vote, such as personnel and real estate.

Any excuse as to why Superintendent Del Burns did not feel obligated to inform all his bosses on the Wake County School Board is thin. Did he assume that he doesn't need their approval? If the board had been informed in advance, might a majority not accepted the 'gift'? What would have happened to Jim Black's deal with prosecutors then?

What of the property's value? It’s been alluded that they ‘think’ it’s worth $500,000. Really? Based on what? What did the appraisal say? Very few properties are appraising at full value today. Unless, of course, it is on an interstate like I-95, I-540, I-40, or even I-440.

Does this mean that Wake County is stuck with an unappraised piece of real estate in another county that may or may not be worth what is claimed? Are we, the taxpayers, now saddled? Or, has a buyer already been determined?

Every board member has an equal vote in the administration of activities by the Wake County Public School System. Every taxpayer and voter who calls their elected board member may be asking questions. Now each board member should have questions about all decisions by the Superintendent of Wake County Public Schools.

Was a title search conducted? A survey? Is the property free of liens? Has staff walked the property? What if it really isn’t worth $500 million? Has this given Dr. Black a freer hand to hold onto more lucrative properties?

What was the school board attorney's role? Who's paying for the property insurance? By now the full board knows of their responsibility, even to trespassers. Despite a 'No Trespassing' sign, anyone hurt on the property may sue the Wake County School Board because they are now the owners.

An emergency closed door meeting should be called so that all members are fully apprised, rather than individual meetings from the Superintendent. At the least, the board should require Del Burns to pay for an an outside appraisal, property insurance, survey, title search and title insurance. And he should be reprimanded for legally obligating them without their knowledge or approval.

It may be that Wake County would have been better off getting free lifelong eye exams for all it’s poor children and their families from Dr. Black, than be saddled with a property, and the memories of the shame he put on North Carolina.

By the way, what else doesn't the Wake School Board know?

If this is true, then:

Why did Dr. Burns accept this and not involve the BoE? At best a very poor decision, at worse a criminal act. Either way, it is something that could easily lead to his termination.

The BoE needs to meet in closed session ASAP and find out the facts on this matter from Dr. Burns. Then after explain to us why logically this occured, demand Dr. Burns resignation, or refer it to the legal system. This is owed to the taxpayers, nothing less. This allegation should not be swept under the carpet, the facts need to come in the open... this is a lot of public money.

Kevin Hill, the new Board chair, apparently knew enough about it. So, who were the "few members" that discussed it during an Agenda meeting?

Why was this discussed at an agenda meeting?

Who settled this deal?

If it was the WCPSS att'ys, who gave them the authority to do so?

If it was Burns himself, again, who said that was OK?

Why didn't Black sell the land for $500k and then give WCPSS the money? In a time of budget crunching, land doesn't help -- cash does.

So many unanswered questions....

Maybe the School Board was looking for land to build Schools so they can bus our kids even further. This is a BAD joke.

They must of been trying to help a "fellow Democrat" out.

Because no sain person would of taken that deal.

I hope some of our Local Media that are "fair and balanced" get to the bottom of this. Wake County Residents should know who or whom thought they could pull a fast one.