Schools

GCPS Adopts Tighter Land-Deals Policy

Board OKs new procedure after internal probe is completed.

The Gwinnett County school board has passed a new land-deals policy that was undertaken after an internal probe and some public controversy.

At the August meeting, the board voted in a new policy that requires all site acquisitions to be brought before the board and opened to public comment.

A series of articles in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently reported that the system paid inflated prices for land in four deals since 2004. Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks called the articles "misleading."

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After the reports, the system authorized former federal prosecutor Joe Whitley to conduct an internal audit of all system land purchases since 1999.Β That report, completed and released in July,Β showed some internal policy violations but no unethical or illegal conduct.

Some of the policy violations included not bringing land purchases before the board, GCPS officials said.

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Among requirements under the new policy:

-- Three to five potential sites must be identified "if possible" for presentation to the board;

-- The superintendent or his designee is authorized to offer up to the highest appraised value for a potential site;

-- the board must be notified of acquisitions and deals must be posted on the GCPS website and listed on board meeting agendas.

For the complete GCPS land-acquisition policy, clickΒ here.


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