A school for troubled boys operated in Jackson County for more than a century, until it was shut down by the state in July.

Soon we’ll know what will happen to the now empty property that was the Dozier School for Boys. Florida’s division of state lands took over the property after the Department of Juvenile Justice closed the facility due to budget cuts.

Now Jackson County commissioners are moving to lease part of the property from the state. They voted unanimously Tuesday for a lease, instead of buying the land outright. The parcel is 66 acres along Poozer Road near Interstate 10.

The county will contact the division of state lands and discuss a long term lease, then bring the results of that meeting back to the county commission.