On February 12, 1975, South Toe Fire Department (STFD) members approached the Yancey County School Board with an unusual request. They began a conversation about entering into a long term agreement with the school district to lease 1.5 acres for construction of a new fire department. Obviously this arrangement has worked well for both parties and has been a successful partnership for nearly 50 years.
Almost two years ago, the fire department members approached the current board with a new request. The board was made aware of the advantages for South Toe Fire Department to own their property outright. Without property ownership, they were limited in their ability to receive grant funding for several needed improvements. At that time, Yancey County Schools had just received one of the most promising grants for school renovations since the 1935 WPA program was created. The stipulations of the grant limited the school board’s ability to meet the current request for STFD ownership.
As the South Toe Elementary schools renovations are coming to a conclusion this August, we have been able to move forward in an effort to provide a great opportunity to meet the needs of this community, while still meeting the Department of Public Instruction requirements for the elementary school. Today we are excited to share that the Yancey County School Board is jointly partnering with Yancey County Board of Commissioners to release another 1.5 acres of property so ownership can become a reality for the South Toe Fire Department. We are enthusiastically working together to complete the legalities required. Thank you to all who have made this possible.
Edwin Fortner
Board Chairman of Yancey County Schools
