The Dallas County Board of Education auctioned what used to be Shiloh Elementary Wednesday on the steps of the Dallas County Courthouse. With several interested buyers, it was the Sardis Community Fellowship that offered the highest bid of $61,000.

The last school auctioned by the board — Five Points Elementary — received a bid of between $8,000 and $9,000.

“So relatively speaking, this was a large bid,” said school board attorney John Pilcher.

With the highest bid made, all the school board has to do now is decided whether they want to accept or reject the bid, Pilcher explained. If they choose to accept, a deed to the property will be given to Sardis Community Fellowship.

“I expect them to do that in their August meeting, or sooner if they have a special meeting,” Pilcher said.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for August 26.

Dallas County Commissioner Conell Towns, who also serves as executive director for Sardis Community Fellowship, said he was pleased with the outcome of the auction.

If the school board decides to accept the bid, Towns said the organization would use the building for various community activities, such as after school tutoring, senior citizens programs and a boys and girls club.

“The Sardis Unity Fellowship was formed back in 2000 when people came together to create organizations to help the community,” Towns explained, and noted that the non-profit organization is comprised of five area churches. “There are several things we’d like to see happen in the community to help people.”