Clayton County board approves Georgia Power easements, buys Hampton property for $285,000

The Clayton County Board of Education on May 26 approved a package of easements with Georgia Power and a commercial property purchase after motions read out from executive session. Board members said the actions are intended to support utility relocations and infrastructure work at multiple district schools.

Board chair read motions authorizing: a tree‑trim/clearing easement at Point South Middle School; underground distribution construction at Perry Career Academy; a tree trim/clearing easement at Smith Elementary; an easement at Riverdale Early Learning Center to relocate an existing power pole and revise a cable route; use of existing utility poles and related equipment easements on Wolsson Road in Hampton; and an easement at Lovejoy High School for a looped cable system and corrective easement. The board also approved a commercial sales agreement to purchase property at 601 McDana Road in Hampton for $285,000.

Motions were moved and seconded on the floor. Several motions were recorded as carried "unanimous minus Mr. Christmas," and some were noted as having Dr. D. Haney abstain. For example, the motion to approve the Point South Middle School easement was read and moved by board members and recorded as approved with Mr. Mark Christmas absent and an abstention by Dr. D. Haney. Similar tallies were recorded on multiple easement items; the McDana Road purchase was recorded as approved with Mr. Christmas absent.

The board said the easements and property purchase had been discussed in executive session and were being implemented to allow Georgia Power and the district to proceed with infrastructure work that district staff framed as necessary to support school operations and safety.

"I move that we approve the easement with Georgia Power at the Riverdale Early Learning Center for the relocation of an existing power pole and revision of a cable route," said Miss Jesse Gory when moving that item, language the board used repeatedly when presenting the executive‑session recommendations.

The slate of easements was described as concluding the easement items discussed in executive session. The motions carried so the district can proceed with the described relocations and commercial closing steps.

What happens next: District staff will execute the easement documents and complete the property closing for 601 McDana Road. The board did not provide additional public detail about engineering timelines or construction start dates during the meeting.

Ending: The easement approvals and property purchase concluded the motions read out from executive session before the meeting moved to board updates and presentations.