The Meridian Public School District School Board voted Monday to accept the donation of a parcel of land, contingent upon title clearance, across from Marion Park Elementary School.

Board President Gary Houston cast the sole dissenting vote, explaining later that he was seeking more information and time to study the issue.

“It is directly across 29th Avenue from Marion Park Elementary School,” said Clay Sims, director of operations and warehouse for the school district. “The piece of property would be serviceable for parking, which is greatly needed on the campus of Marion Park.”

Sims said he consulted two engineering firms who estimated that 15 to 20 parking spaces could be created on the lot for about $80,000. He said the “cost to clear the existing structure on the lot would be approximately $5,000.”

During discussion, Houston posed a question to Sims about the safety of crossing the road between the land and the school.

“That is a concern of mine, as well as Dr. Carter (district superintendent) — the safety of people crossing that road,” Sims said. “It is a very busy road … It came up in (a meeting) that it would probably be a good idea to have signage there, warning people to slow down in that area.”

Sims said other parties had expressed interested in the property, precipitating the vote on Monday. Sims had noted the availability of the property during the previous school board meeting, in July.