This marks the second time since November commissioners have rejected negotiations with the school.

County Manager Tony Brown said the school sent a letter to the county on December 23 requesting a counter offer since the first offer of $150,000 was rejected.

“The building is not for sale,” Brown said. “It's being used for economic development purposes.”

Brown said it would be up to the board if it wanted to use the building for purposes other than economic development.

Cathy Scott, executive director of the Halifax County Development Commission, told the board that even though Allegro is using the building on a temporary basis until it gets a building at the airport, the building needs to be made available to the company as it is beginning to hire more workers for production.

Commissioner Rives Manning said, “KIPP needs the building by September. We have more invested in it than we have been offered. If it goes to the school it stays off the tax books. I'd like it generating some tax money.”

Commissioner Vernon Bryant said, “They could come back with with an offer.”

Said board Chair James Pierce: “Until that happens the building is not for sale.”