Clinton School Board Approves Mississippi College Property Bid
Mississippi College's bid to acquire the old Clinton Junior High property received the approval of the Clinton School Board.
The vote at Tuesday night's board meeting was unanimous. The board's decision marks the latest step in a lengthy process by MC to gain a major piece of property so the university can expand this summer.
Mississippi College's $3,501,000 bid for the 17.5 acre property on College Street was the only one before the Clinton School Board. Members of the Clinton board earlier set the minimum bid at $3.5 million.
MC leaders were delighted to get the school board's endorsement and clear the way for the 320-acre Christian university to expand.
"We are happy to report that last night the Clinton School Board unanimously accepted our bid for the old junior high property," said Steve Stanford, vice president for administration and government relations. "We will enter into negotiations of a real estate contract to purchase on mutually acceptable terms."
Mississippi College, he added, is "very pleased to acquire this asset and recognize that it will benefit our institution for decades to come."
For about two years, MC leaders eyed the property that fronts both the Clinton Parkway and College Street. The site is familiar turf for the MC family and Clinton community. The old junior high band hall is rented by MC for practice sessions. The auditorium is used by the Brick Street Players. MC band members also use its vacant field to practice before Choctaws football games.
The Clinton district uses the site for the Clinton Alternative School, offices for child nutrition, special education, the district nurse and technology, among other things.
Longtime Clinton residents like Edward McMillan, a retired MC administrator, welcome the land purchase.
"I think it will be a win-win situation for the city schools and MC,"' McMillan said when reached by phone Wednesday. "It is a meshing of two campuses. It will bring MC renewed vigor and strength."
A former vice president for graduate studies, McMillan is also a retired history and political science professor on the Clinton campus.
Clinton Board leaders say sale of the property allows the district to pay off existing bond debt from the construction of Clinton High in 1996. "With the sale of this property, we can pay off the remaining debt and free up more bond capacity,'' said Sandy Halliwell, the district's finance director.
The district is also looking at a new building to replace Northside Elementary that is suffering from foundation problems.
Once the property gets turned over to Mississippi College, MC officials will complete their studies and decide how best to utilize the site. The land is surrounded by the specially zoned district known as Olde Towne Clinton.
Earlier this month, MC President Lee Royce said the university is interested in the property mainly for classrooms and faculty offices. On Wednesday, Royce notified MC trustees and other school leaders to update them on the purchase of the valuable piece of property.
MC was the lone bidder after the Clinton School Board on Dec. 30 declared it surplus with the effective date at the end of the school year. Officials earlier said the property could be transferred to MC on June 30.
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