Madison County Schools board approves purchase of about 272 acres in Hazel Green for future campus

Board members approved an agreement to acquire roughly 272 acres in the Hazel Green / Madison Crossroads / Toney / Espartman area, a transaction the board described as the largest property the district has purchased. During discussion a board speaker said the district had been negotiating with the Bragg family and was under agreement on price and terms.

The board described a vision for an "all inclusive" campus that could eventually include a high school, middle school, elementary school and a central office to expand career-technical programming options. Speakers stressed that the purchase is only the first step: due diligence will begin immediately and closing is expected in roughly three to four months. The board also agreed to circulate an official release to the family and the family's attorney before wider public distribution.

The motion to approve the land-acquisition agreement was made, seconded and approved by voice vote after each board member certified no ownership interest in the property on the record.