JCPS Board of Education tables vote on land purchase

The Jefferson City Public Schools Board of Education is taking another month to decide on a controversial land purchase.

ABC 17 News reported the school district is considering buying nine lots of land off Lafayette between Roland and Franklin streets, property close to Jefferson City High School. The land would cost the district $206,500.

Monday, the board voted to table the issue after a multiple residents spoke in opposition at a packed board meeting.

“I started a petition two days ago and got 107 signatures from people across the community of Jefferson City, just stating that they’re opposed to this land purchase,” resident Ashley Kaufman told ABC 17 News.

Board member Pam Murray agreed with residents, saying any use of the land other than residential would be detrimental to the community.

“You’re making it a commercial property and it decreases the property value,” resident Brandon Kaufman said. “On top of that, the traffic that we have now at 8 a.m. and 3 o’clock in the afternoon is going to double because there’s going to be a commercial property right next door to our house, and we just don’t want it.”

Other concerns from residents included a possible increase of trash or disruptions and the fact there was no defined use for the land.

Superintendent Larry Linthacum said the board will take the next month to decide wsha that use may be.

“If we’re saying it’s just because we had the opportunity we need to say that,” Linthacum said. “If we’re looking as an alternative school, if we’re looking at as a–to rent for our adult education program, if it’s to look at whether a parking lot down the road, whatever that might be, I think the community would say, hey just tell us what exactly you think it will be.”

The board is set to vote on the issue at its meeting on Nov. 14. The district has until the following day to buy the land.