The HCSD Spends Tens of Thousands of Dollars on Rent

The Hall County School District (HCSD) Central Warehouse is located on a property which is rented by the HCSD. Odd since the HCSD owns over 70 properties, amassing more than 1600 acres. These properties range in size from 0.25 to 163.46 acres. Some are small tracts surrounding currently existing schools, while two are somewhat unusual. One is the "eyesore" in downtown Gainesville which is currently for sale. The other is a vacant 36.11 acre lot on Highway 52 in the East Hall area.

This discovery was made after a full list of HCSD Properties was compiled. The location of the HCSD Central Warehouse at 961 Chestnut Street was unexpected. Upon review of the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, line item #485 with Account Description "Rental Of Land Or Buildings" (having a descriptor of "Warehouse Rent") had a budgeted amount of $70,000..

 

 

 

On October 8, 2024 an open records request was submitted for a copy of the basic general ledger entries for this item. After some initial clarifications, it was produced on October 11, 2024 as follows.

A review of this ledger showed that the HCSD was paying $5,091.56 each month from August through January (with an unexplained extra $874.59 in November), then $6,372.88 each month from February through June, totaling $63,316.05. At the new rate of $6,372.88 per month, Fiscal Year 2025 will have a total rental of $76,474.76.

These findings were addressed during the public comments portion of the Hall County Board of Education meeting on October 28, 2024.

On November 8, 2024, an open records request was submitted for a copy of the most recent inventory of items stored at the HCSD Central Warehouse. The response was received on November 11, 2024. "Currently, we do not maintain a detailed, itemized list of every specific item stored within our warehouse. However, I am happy to provide a general list of the types of items typically housed there at no cost... Additionally, we would be pleased to arrange a tour of the warehouse at a time that works for you and our warehouse manager. This may provide a more thorough understanding of our stored resources and how we manage inventory."

A tour was set up the next morning with Dr. Brad Brown, Eric Radich, and Chris Cranford, The gentlemen were considerate and answered many questions. The warehouse was large, containing an emergency response trailer, a food service trailer, wooden bookshelves, desks, and chairs, math workbooks, world globes (along with many other discarded items), pallets of copy paper and surgical masks, massive quantities of hand sanitizer in gallon containers, a forklift, a staging area for items to be delivered to each school in the district, and sufficient room in the center aisle to park the district's four delivery vehicles.

When asked about the possibility of relocating the warehouse, Mr. Cranford indicated that the current site was perfect because large delivery trucks could back up to the loading dock and the delivery vehicles could be stored inside for added security. Questions regarding relocation to a vacant elementary school were met with a rebuttal regarding the 4 foot pallet width being too large for storage in classrooms. What about the gym at Riverbend Elementary? Delivery trucks would not be able to access it because of the terrain. What about the gym at McEver Elementary? *Silence.* Finally it was stated that security would be an issue. Interesting since the HCSD Maintenance Building is on the back section of the McEver Elementary property, which is fenced in and secure.

What feasible solutions could meet the need for storage and daily deliveries? Should HCSD build a permanent warehouse, convert a gym, convert a cafeteria? Should the property on Stallworth Street be kept and used? Is it more cost effective to continue renting a $76.000 facility, which will never go down in price?

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