School board OKs land swap with county

Libby School Board members have approved the land swap deal with Lincoln County that would give the district 30 additional acres near Libby High School for a similar amount behind the McGrade Center.

“We’re all for it. I think it’s a good deal for the district and the county,” said Bruce Sickler, the school district’s chairman for the Building and Grounds Committee. “Our board unanimously approved the decision. Now, the ball’s in their court. There is a 14-day protest period, but if there’s a negative, I don’t see it.”

Libby Schools Superintendent K.W. Maki has long favored the deal that would give the district 55 congruent acres at the high school.

“I think it’s a win-win for both our students and the county,” Maki said.

Lincoln County Presiding Commissioner Tony Berget said there will be some tweaking of property lines, but he sees it as a good move for the county.

“The land is adjacent to Libby Creek, and there are some good park options there,” Berget said. “We’ve still got some surveying costs, which will be equally shared by the county and the school district, but overall, I think it’s a good idea.”

In exchange, the county would get almost 31 acres of the 39-acre tract the school district owns behind McGrade Center just off Farm to Market Road. Currently, the district leases the McGrade Center to the state of Montana. The deal includes land only, and does not include the McGrade Center building.

The deal, according to the legal filing posted in this newspaper, may be protested until Feb. 4. If no objections are filed, the deal becomes final.