LINDEN &8212; Luke Hallmark, superintendent of Marengo County Schools, received approval Thursday night to look into selling off unused properties currently owned by the board of education.

According to Hallmark, numerous properties were sold to the board of education decades ago to house schools around the county. Several of those schools, such as the Faunsdale School and the Palmetto School, are now in disrepair and the properties are not being used, Hallmark said.

This has led to an excess of property the board cannot use. Hallmark said if the board is able to ascertain a fair and reasonable price for the properties they can be offered to the original landowners without having to go through the traditional bid process.

In addition to this possibility of more revenue, Marengo County Schools received two checks from Rep. Henry Sanders, D-Selma, and Rep. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro. Hallmark said he plans to use some of the $5,000 from Singleton&8217;s contribution for playground equipment at John Essex School. With the remaining contribution, Hallmark said there is some flexibility, but one suggestion is to use it to go toward a camera system at A.L. Johnson School.

The board also discussed a change in the curriculum which allows students to take Algebra I in eighth grade.

In other business the board:

-Approved financial reports for July.

-Approved bank statement reconciliations for July.

-Approved contract and agreement with Family Resource Center.

-Approved early dismissal of students on three days.

-Nominated three individuals for Board of Equalization.

-Approved resolution for No Child Left Behind.

-Approved leaves of absence.

-Approve contract revisions.