SOUTHWEST FORSYTH -- The Forsyth County Board of Education preliminarily approved leasing a half-acre of Denmark High School property to Forsyth County at a public meeting Thursday.

The property would hold the Denmark Clinic, the practice the late Dr. Leila Denmark, the school’s namesake.

The county government proposed moving the clinic to the northwest corner of the Denmark High School property. It is currently located next to the doctor’s former residence on Mullinax Road.

Forysth County – not the school district – would incur the expense to relocate the building and also be responsible for all costs to rehabilitate, operate, maintain and secure the building and property.

The lease would run for 20 years, after which it could be renewed for another 20 years, lasting for a total of 40.

“It’s in the agreement that we wouldn’t have any responsibility,” said Darla Light, chairwoman of the board.

Should the house or property fall into disrepair, the school would only be required to give the county 30 days’ notice to make repairs.

“This is a legality,” said Kristin Morrissey, District 2 board member. “They’re still deciding what they want to do with private funds and all of that, so this is just a technicality to say they can [do it.]”

The intergovernmental agreement is expected to be voted upon by both governing bodies at a later date.