It came a little later than originally expected, but the Union County School District Board of Trustees approved a contract Monday night to sell the former Jonesville High School building and a ball field located on the west side of Park Avenue for $1 to the Town of Jonesville.

The decision was made following executive session and was approved by an 8-1 vote, with the dissenting vote cast by board member Manning Jeter.

The board agreed in October to transfer the property to Jonesville and directed school district administration to draw up a contract to do so.

Superintendent Dr. David Eubanks — at that time — hoped a contract would be done and ready for board approval by January, but it took about a month longer to get the final agreement ready for approval.

As long as there are no objections from either party in the transfer of the property, the town should have clean and clear ownership of the property within 60 days.

The school district’s only main stipulation in selling the property is that it be used for purposes previously outlined by Jonesville Mayor Ernest Moore. It cannot be used — directly or indirectly — as a school. The contract defines a school as public, private, kindergarten, elementary, middle, secondary, junior high, high and charter schools as defined under South Carolina State Code.

“For purposes of such declaration, the term ‘School’ shall mean any facility, institution or place for education, instruction or supervision that involves children or students who are school age for kindergarten through twelfth grades whether or not such facility, institution or place is supported by public funds from state, local or federal sources and whether or not those educational, instructional or supervised services, activities or programs performed at such facility, institution or place rests with publicly elected or appointed officials,” reads the contract.

Moore originally requested the transfer in September and informed Eubanks of the town’s plans for the property.

Jonesville is looking at using the building for a number or purposes. There has been some discussion on using it as a senior adult center, a municipal building for the town government and law enforcement and recreation.

Transferring the property to Jonesville will benefit both entities.

The school district will no longer have the liability of the property and no longer will have to pay insurance on it or perform maintenance there even while it is being unused. The benefit to the town will be having the building to use.

Jonesville High closed in 2007 when it and Lockhart High School were consolidated with Union High School to form Union County High School. Until 2009, the building served as Jonesville Middle School before being closed along with Jonesville Elementary at the end of the school year.

Elementary and middle school students in the Jonesville area now attend the new Jonesville Elementary and Middle School which opened last fall, just in time for the 2009-10 school year.

The former Jonesville Elementary building is currently being leased by the school district to Carolina Community Action.

The Jonesville Town Council was expected to receive the contract at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night.

In other business Monday, the school board:

• Approved an overnight field trip for two Union County High School band members to attend All-State on March 12-13 at Furman University.

• Heard Eubanks’ superintendent’s report and the monthly finance report from district finance director Lynn Lawson.

• Was presented by director of secondary education Cindy Langley the newly developed district mission, beliefs and vision documents created as part of the self study for AdvancED accreditation by the district committee for Standard 1: Vision and Purpose.

• Was updated by assistant superintendent of instruction Dale Goff regarding the district’s retesting guidelines that support the district grading policy.

• Received the personnel report from assistant superintendent for personnel and pupil services Lewis Jeter.