The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved the school board spending $309,500 of the school’s fund balance to purchase the Stott property, located behind Stearns Education Center to move its bus operations.

County commissioners met Monday, Oct. 19 and approved the board of education’s request.

Superintendent Bill Miller said the purchase will be a short sale from TD Bank with a closing date prior to Oct. 24. Miller said the school has completed a phase I environmental assessment as well as the work associated with the assessment.

“We believe the consolidation of all our operations to the Stearns property will benefit the schools over time,” said Miller. “We also believe that if we had to buy land and construct the facility we are purchasing it would cost us double what we are paying for the property at 144 Hampton Street.”

After the completion of the new purchase, the school system plans to sell the current bus facility and use the revenues to offset the new purchase, according to Miller.

Miller also said the school system is looking at additional expenses associated with the purchase, including for equipment and fueling systems.