GARNETT–In order to get the land USD 365 needs to build a new elementary school, school board members need to pay up or go to court. According to the Anderson County Review, Don Diebolt wants USD 365 to pay him $409,000 for the entire36 acres of land he owns for the new elementary school. The school board members have filed a petition to claim the land under eminent domain. Kansas law allows public entities such as school districts to take private land for public use, and determine a price for the land, regardless of whether the landowner wants to sell. The Anderson County District Court will have a hearing on the situation on Monday. Diebolt said that the board members offered him $289,000 for the entire land, but he rejected because he wants $409,000 to cover his investment in the property. The $12 million school is expected to be built in the time for the 2012-13 school year.
Friday, February 11th, 9:20 am
