Alabama state rep. slams county school board for buying 'ludicrous' $1.2 million lake house

The dilapidated lake house purchased for $1.2 million by the Cullman County BOE

CULLMAN, Ala. — The Cullman County Board of Education purchased a $1.2 million lake house on Smith Lake in November, and now local residents are asking for answers.

According to the deed, executed on November 7th, 2014, the lake house and land were sold by the Carthage Family Limited Partnership, to the Cullman County Board of Education.

The Carthage Family LP is incorporated in Indiana, but lists its address as 1908 Cherokee Ave. SW in Cullman, the site of a building housing several medical practices.

When a Cullman local first raised the alarm Tuesday, his Facebook post quickly spread on social media in just a few hours.

The property acquired by the Cullman County BOE was adjacent to some lakefront property already owned by the BOE as so-called “section 16” land.

“Section 16” lands are real estate deeded to the state for the benefit and use of public education pursuant to the act that made Alabama a state in 1819. In 2012, The Cullman County BOE was given control of the 435 acres of lakefront property on Smith Lake, including 25,000 feet of shoreline deemed to be worth millions.

The lake house causing the controversy was halfway built on a peninsula adjacent to the section 16 land, but the house was never fully completed.

Cullman County Superintendent Dr. Craig Ross justified the decision to spend $1.2 million on a dilapidated lake house in a statement Tuesday.

“It has been brought to my attention that there are public concerns over a land purchase that was approved at the November 6th board meeting,” Dr. Ross said. “This land has great potential to bring some financial security in the future for Cullman County Schools if the property is sold or leased.”

The BOE’s main concern, Dr. Ross said, was that an easement would need to be obtained by the original owners of the lake house for a driveway, diminishing the value of the land.

“As we look at the investment opportunity that this property holds for the future of Cullman County Schools and all 9,000-plus students, the board made the decision to purchase additional property adjoining our Section 16 property,” Dr. Ross continued. “While this property is not located in Section 16, it adjoins the property and will clear up the easement, right of way, and access issues to this section of the property. This purchase will dramatically increase the overall value of the 400-plus acres.”

There’s only one problem with Dr. Ross’s plan. It appears that it may be unlawful for a local school board to buy private property with the intent to develop and sell it. Additionally, there is already a road leading to the edge of the land.

Newly-elected State Representative Corey Harbison (R-Cullman) told Yellowhammer News Tuesday afternoon that he’s already heard from several upset constituents.

“When the people of Cullman County voted for a half-percent tax [increase] I don’t think they knew it would go to pay a mortgage payment on lake property,” said Rep. Harbison.

“We have schools that are dilapidated,” Rep. Harbison said, “we need classroom supplies, we have gyms that need to be built, we have roads that need to be paved on campuses. For [the BOE] to spend $1.2 million is ludicrous.”

Yellowhammer will continue to investigate.