Schools auction brings in six figures

Nov. 18– The Hardin County school system grossed approximately $102,000 by auctioning off portable buildings and the contents of five schools closed because of the recent consolidation.

"It went very well," said Director of Schools John Thomas.

The sales jettisoned surplus items at Whites, Walnut Grove, Walker, Nixon and North elementary schools. Included were tables, chairs, desks, playground equipment, stainless steel cafeteria equipment, air conditioners, televisions and more.

School officials also used the auction to dispose of four school buses, a 1992 GMC pickup truck and a 1972 flatbed dump truck.

Larry Mabry, the board of education’s accountant, said the vehicles alone brought in about $14,700.

"We actually have yielded more doing it this way than with sealed bids," he said.

Auctioneer Tony Neill is to be paid a 10 percent commission for conducting the sale, plus advertising expenses capped at $2,500.

Mabry said today a final total and distribution from the Nov. 6 sale was still in the process of being calculated.

Proceeds from the auction will be divided among three funds, based on the type of item sold.

Thomas said money from the disposal of kitchen and vocational program equipment will be reallocated for those uses. The remainder is to be used to purchase technology equipment.