The Campbell County Board of Education held a special meeting Wednesday to discuss the next steps regarding the years-long saga over the former Disabled American Veteran’s (known locally as the DAV) property in Cold Spring.
The board voted to seek a discretionary review from the Kentucky Supreme Court regarding the Dec. 16, 2022 appeal. This was an appeal by the City of Cold Spring for the purchase of the DAV property. The district purchased the property through eminent domain.
In December, The Kentucky Court of Appeals reversed the Campbell County Circuit Court’s decision that the Board of Education was entitled to eminent domain to acquire the former DAV property located on U.S. 27 to use as a new middle school.
The court of appeals decision said that the board’s right to eminent domain does not extend to public property, which is what the DAV building is considered.
Eminent domain is the right of a government or its agent to seize private property for public use, with payment of compensation.
“The board continues to believe in the value and importance of providing our students with world-class facilities and spaces to explore their passions and talents,” Campbell County Schools Superintendent Shelli Wilson said. “The Board is committed to providing the best opportunities for students. They have led one of the top performing districts in the state, while Campbell County school property taxes have remained one of the lowest in Northern Kentucky.”
Wilson said that the district’s interest in purchasing the prior DAV property aligns with the district’s vision.
“This property is an attractive option,” she said. “The existing building can be renovated and could result in an estimated $10 million savings to the overall project of a new middle school.”
The cost and risk of seeking a discretionary opinion are minimal compared to the estimated savings this property will provide, Wilson said. Single, large, available building parcels in the northern tier of the school district that meet the building site requirements are rare and expensive.
She said the prior DAV property meets the minimum standards of buildable and accessible 18 acres. Further, Cold Spring is a safe community with many resources for students and families. The property, the building, and the location are ideal for a second middle school.
“Families in our school district are excited about the possibility of a community school located closer to their home,” Wilson said. “We are all excited about the possibility of creating a world-class learning environment with ample opportunities for our future. Our students and staff deserve this.”
