Opp City Schools is currently accepting sealed bids for three parcels of land located on the campus of South Highlands Elementary School.

The Opp Board of Education last month discussed the need to declare the property surplus and potentially sell it.

OCS Superintendent Michael Smithart said that it’s been eight years since OCS shut the door on the school.

Smithart told the board then that the property needs another use.

At last week’s board of education meeting, Smithart said the board voted to declare the property surplus, minus the wing that is used for Opp Head Start.

The board will maintain the right to refuse all offers if the bids are determined to be too low.

Southside Baptist Church in Opp had sought to purchase a piece of the property a while back, but that deal fell through.

The last day the school was used for class was May 28, 2009.

A new elementary school was built to replace the 1959 SHES campus.

The property is located at 503 Brown St., in Opp.

The three parcels are broken down as follows:

• Parcel 1-A: .46 acres, which is a parking lot.
• Parcel 1-B: 1.18 acres; see diagram.
• Parcel 2: 1.60 acres, includes the cafeteria portion

Smithart said that the real estate sealed bid offer form must be completed with offer amount, parcel number or numbers indicated, buyer’s name, address, phone number, date, signature of bidder and it must be properly notarized.

“Only original real estate sealed bid offer forms will be accepted,” he said. “Copies of forms or faxed forms will not be considered.”

The form must be retuned to the Opp City Board of Education located at 305 East Stewart Avenue or mailed to PO Box 840, Opp, AL 36467 no later than 2 p.m., on Nov. 30 in the envelope provided by the school system.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

“The buy assumes all closing costs and related expenses,” Smithart said.

Those with questions may call Smithart at 493-3173, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.