Pelion, SC (WLTX) - A purchase of land from Lexington School District One has some in Pelion left uneasy after buying it for nearly a million dollars.
One person who lives in Pelion didn't want to go on camera but wanted to give their two cents on the purchase.
"We're entrusting them with our money every time we pay a tax bill or every time we pay anything," one individual said.
Lexington School District One announced that they're buying nearly 55 acres across the way from Pelion High School off of Highway 178 near Fish Hatchery Road. The buying price was almost a million dollars.
"That’s concerning. Property is not selling for that down here and no matter what justification the school district wants to give that it's the property location and the sand area and that justifies paying more, I don't think so," said one person.
According to tax records, that piece of property's tax value last year was $144,440. The district approved to purchase that same land for over six times it's worth for nearly a million dollars or $982,980 to be exact.
Lexington School District One says the property is "a bargain when you consider all factors of site development."
On the district's website, it says the new land "is ideally suited for a new middle school."
What's turning heads is where the land is coming from.
"The owner of the property used to be a school principle down here. Used to sit on the school board. You've got to raise an eye to that," said one individual.
According to 2017 tax records, the owner of the property is former Pelion High School principal Jean Haggard.
The district goes on to say on their website, "Some have expressed a belief that the district purchased this site because of its past relationship with the owner. That is ridiculous."
The school district says the a new middle school is long overdue and that it's the world class-school the children of Pelion deserve.
But for some in Pelion, they are questioning at what cost.
"We're going to have to get over it at this point. If it's already signed sealed and delivered, what can we do? Not a whole lot. What I would like to see happen is never having this thing happen again," said one individual.
For the full statement regarding Lexington School District One’s purchase, click here.