By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff

EASLEY — The School District of Pickens County’s board of trustees approved the sale of the building which formerly housed Gettys Middle School Monday night, despite reservations by some members about whether the property would be part of the district’s future plans.

Board member Alex Saitta brought forth a motion to have the former Gettys property declared surplus. Board member Jimmy Gillespie agreed that time was important in selling the facility, because it has already been broken into.

Board chair Judy Edwards said she could not vote to sell the property because she felt the property was possibly part of the district’s plan to provide a second middle school in the Easley area. Edwards admitted the building was in terrible shape.

“The building needs to be demolished,” Edwards said. “I just feel we will need that property in the future.”

The motion passed on a 3-2 vote, with board member Ben Trotter absent and Edwards and Herb Cooper opposed.

Saitta also proposed that the district sell property on Pendleton Street, across from the former Easley High School, now Gettys Middle School, as commercial property. That motion passed 5-0.

In executive session, trustees also evaluated the job that Superintendent Kelly Pew is doing. From that executive session meeting came the recommendation that Pew’s monthly auto allowance be increased from $500 per month to $750 per month.

Saitta pointed out that $750 per month was a great deal just to pay for gas. But board member Jim Shelton said that amount also covers wear and tear on Pew’s car.

Edwards told board members that Pew pretty much stays on the road doing district business. The motion passed with a 3-2 vote, with Saitta and Gillespie voting in opposition.