June 10,2011

Kathy Rogers, Chairwoman
Henry County School Board
P. O. Box 8958
Collinsville, Va 24078

Dear Ms. Rogers:

Please consider this request for information concerning the management of real estate owned by the Henry County School Board.

At 126 and 150 Oakland Dr in Collinsville, there are two residential homes owned by the school board. We understand the long range decision to purchase these real estate parcels for future school expansion was appropriate and commendable.

Now that our community is experiencing tough economic times and school enrollment is declining, we have some questions regarding the management of these assets. As you might realize, empty homes are not the best use of taxpayer assets especially if they are income producing properties.

1. What is the current plan to utilize these assets and to build on the land?
2. What would be the reason that these homes could not be rented? Assuming there is tepid demand of investors to purchase and move the structures, would not generation of rental money (perhaps $5000-$7000 per year of rental income) be a prudent use of these taxpayer-owned properties to the benefit of the instructional budgets of Collinsville Primary and John Redd Smith Elementary Schools?
3. Are there other residential real estate assets, owned by the school board, in this similar situation?

Looking forward to your response.


Sincerely,

Ural Harris
Rick Horton
Randy Scott
Executive Council, Taxpayer Association Of Martinsville / Henry County