Farmington School Board Resolution Confirms Authority for Eagle Sale

The Board of Education took another step forward in the sale of Eagle Elementary School, while still fighting a lawsuit that claims the sale is improper.

During their Tuesday meeting, the board unanimously approved a resolution to authorize the school superintendent, assistant superintendent of administrative support services, or the president and the secretary of the board of education, to execute the agreement for purchase with the Islamic Cultural Association.

The district's attorney, Amanda Van Dusen, of Miller Canfield Paddock & Stone PLC's Detroit office, said the board wanted to confirm the authority of the superintendent to move forward, and confirm the authority of the board members to sign specific closing documents.

Those actions are requested by the title company, she said.

"[T]he title company will insure over the risk of the pending litigation, which is now at the Court of Appeals," Van Dusen said. The courts could have the lawsuit tied up for 12-18 months, during which time the $1.1 million the ICA is paying for the shuttered school will be escrowed. If the case goes forward for further appeals with the Michigan Supreme Court, it could take five months or more after the Court of Appeals decides the case.

She advised the board that the $1.1 million was factored into the district's budget for this fiscal year, and cannot be spent while the litigation is pending.

During citizen comments at the end of the meeting, supporters of the lawsuit against the district reiterated their displeasure with the board. Farmington Hills resident Linda Stulberg said the sale had the "appearance of impropriety ... and cronyism" because the property was not publicly posted for sale.