{ "id": 4166148, "name": "JERRY ALAN REESE, Plaintiff v. THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG BOARD OF EDUCATION and COUNTY OF MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA, Defendants", "name_abbreviation": "Reese v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education", "decision_date": "2009-05-05", "docket_number": "No. COA08-397", "first_page": "539", "last_page": "556", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "196 N.C. App. 539" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "635 S.E.2d 477", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "case_ids": [ 12636799 ], "year": 2006, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "481" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/se2d/635/0477-01" ] }, { "cite": "652 S.E.2d 701", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "case_ids": [ 12639742 ], "year": 2007, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "708" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/se2d/652/0701-01" ] }, { "cite": "659 S.E.2d 762", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "case_ids": [ 12640826 ], "weight": 5, "year": 2008, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "764" }, { "page": "765", "parenthetical": "quoting N.C.R. Civ. P. 12(f) (2005)" }, { "parenthetical": "citation and internal quotations omitted" }, { "page": "766" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/se2d/659/0762-01" ] }, { "cite": "377 S.E.2d 93", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "93 N.C. App. 148", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8527917 ], "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/93/0148-01" ] }, { "cite": "249 S.E.2d 804", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1978, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "295 N.C. 735", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8569197, 8569107, 8569141, 8569020, 8569054 ], "year": 1978, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/295/0735-05", "/nc/295/0735-03", "/nc/295/0735-04", "/nc/295/0735-01", "/nc/295/0735-02" ] }, { "cite": "248 S.E.2d 103", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "108" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "38 N.C. App. 310", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8553539 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "316" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/38/0310-01" ] }, { "cite": "574 S.E.2d 120", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "131", "parenthetical": "citations and internal quotations omitted" }, { "page": "131" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "155 N.C. App. 484", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 9250779 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "499", "parenthetical": "citations and internal quotations omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/155/0484-01" ] }, { "cite": "408 U.S. 564", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 1782964 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1972, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/408/0564-01" ] }, { "cite": "450 S.E.2d 888", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "890" }, { "page": "890" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "338 N.C. 445", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2520868 ], "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "447" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/338/0445-01" ] }, { "cite": "2007 N.C. Sess. Laws 33", "category": "laws:leg_session", "reporter": "N.C. Sess. Laws", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "2000 N.C. Sess. Laws 65", "category": "laws:leg_session", "reporter": "N.C. Sess. Laws", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "487 S.E.2d 540", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "356 N.C. 276", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "482 S.E.2d 9", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "13" }, { "page": "12" }, { "page": "12" }, { "page": "11" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "125 N.C. App. 628", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 11870783 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "634" }, { "page": "632" }, { "page": "633" }, { "page": "632" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/125/0628-01" ] }, { "cite": "70 S.E. 919", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "154 N.C. 490", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652780 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/154/0490-01" ] }, { "cite": "73 S.E. 886", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "158 N.C. 186", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8654939 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/158/0186-01" ] }, { "cite": "81 S.E. 1001", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "165 N.C. 632", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8660908 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/165/0632-01" ] }, { "cite": "88 S.E. 521", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "171 N.C. 379", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11270470 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/171/0379-01" ] }, { "cite": "64 S.E.2d 403", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "233 N.C. 400", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8609044 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/233/0400-01" ] }, { "cite": "90 S.E.2d 700", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "243 N.C. 405", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625334 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/243/0405-01" ] }, { "cite": "120 S.E.2d 448", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1961, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "452" }, { "page": "451" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "255 N.C. 177", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8567886 ], "year": 1961, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/255/0177-01" ] }, { "cite": "58 S.E.2d 743", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1950, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "746", "parenthetical": "looking to the provisions of the contract attending the complaint rather than \"the more broadly stated allegations ... or the conclusions of the pleader as to its character and meaning\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "231 N.C. 722", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8632030 ], "year": 1950, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "726", "parenthetical": "looking to the provisions of the contract attending the complaint rather than \"the more broadly stated allegations ... or the conclusions of the pleader as to its character and meaning\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/231/0722-01" ] }, { "cite": "89 S.E.2d 396", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1955, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "399", "parenthetical": "sustaining demurrer where contracts, incorporated in the complaint by amendment, \"neutralized the allegations of the original complaint and put to naught the cause of action asserted therein\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "242 N.C. 707", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8621919 ], "year": 1955, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "711", "parenthetical": "sustaining demurrer where contracts, incorporated in the complaint by amendment, \"neutralized the allegations of the original complaint and put to naught the cause of action asserted therein\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/242/0707-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 S.E.2d 873", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "879", "parenthetical": "\"The terms of such exhibit control other allegations of the pleading attempting to paraphrase or construe the exhibit, insofar as these are inconsistent with its terms.\"" }, { "page": "879" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "276 N.C. 198", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8560788 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "206", "parenthetical": "\"The terms of such exhibit control other allegations of the pleading attempting to paraphrase or construe the exhibit, insofar as these are inconsistent with its terms.\"" }, { "page": "206" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/276/0198-01" ] }, { "cite": "294 S.E.2d 377", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "378", "parenthetical": "some degree of factual particularity is required to satisfy the requirements of the substantive law giving rise to the pleadings" }, { "page": "378" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "58 N.C. App. 748", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8526177 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "750", "parenthetical": "some degree of factual particularity is required to satisfy the requirements of the substantive law giving rise to the pleadings" }, { "page": "750" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/58/0748-01" ] }, { "cite": "452 S.E.2d 233", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "237" }, { "page": "237" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "339 N.C. 338", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2558367 ], "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "346" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/339/0338-01" ] }, { "cite": "78 S.E. 301", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "weight": 5, "year": 1913, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "302" }, { "page": "302" }, { "page": "302" }, { "page": "302" }, { "page": "302" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "162 N.C. 479", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11271637 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1913, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "484" }, { "page": "484" }, { "page": "484" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/162/0479-01" ] }, { "cite": "179 N.C. App. 780", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8239561 ], "year": 2006, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "786" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/179/0780-01" ] }, { "cite": "187 N.C. App. 198", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8373281 ], "year": 2007, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "205" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/187/0198-01" ] }, { "cite": "189 N.C. App. 755", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 4156804 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2008, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "759" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/189/0755-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1319, "char_count": 41716, "ocr_confidence": 0.743, "pagerank": { "raw": 6.263440174314247e-08, "percentile": 0.3864920310025797 }, "sha256": "4b831ae12b9fd8c7f89faf94b76bd030af702fb90c0683726f78f208b3c8210f", "simhash": "1:cf3bd062576e88c0", "word_count": 6579 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:08:58.268450+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges JACKSON and STROUD concur." ], "parties": [ "JERRY ALAN REESE, Plaintiff v. THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG BOARD OF EDUCATION and COUNTY OF MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA, Defendants" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "STEELMAN, Judge.\nWhere plaintiff\u2019s complaint made clear references to the events memorialized in a Resolution, the trial court did not err in considering the document in deciding defendants\u2019 Rule 12(c) motion to dismiss, even though the document itself was not specifically referenced in the complaint. The transactions encompassed by an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education and Mecklenburg County were authorized by the General Statutes and Local Acts of the North Carolina General Assembly. Plaintiff\u2019s constitutional claims were based upon a unilateral expectation of a property interest and were properly dismissed. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying plaintiff\u2019s motion to strike.\nI. Factual and Procedural Background\nIn January 2007, Mecklenburg County (County) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors, Inc. (Cornerstone) pertaining to the development and construction of Brooklyn Village, a mixed-use development to be located in Second Ward of the City of Charlotte. The Memorandum recited that County \u201cowns or is in the process of acquiring 493,971 square feet of land located in Second Ward bounded by South McDowell Street, Third Street, Second Street and the First Baptist Church property . . . .\u201d County agreed to swap a portion of this property for property owned by Cornerstone\u2019s parent company, with the balance of the land being retained by County for development as an urban park. The 493,971 square feet of property consists of two parcels: (1) a 5.91 acre parcel owned by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (Board), upon which its administrative offices are currently located; and (2) Marshall Park.\nAt its 1 May 2007 public meeting, the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the execution of the Brooklyn Village Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with the Board. On or about 8 May 2007, the Board, by majority vote, approved the execution of the Brooklyn Village Interlocal Cooperation Agreement. This agreement referenced a 2002 Master Plan which was adopted by County, Board, and the City of Charlotte. It also referenced the Memorandum of Understanding between County and Cornerstone. It further recited:\nWHEREAS, pursuant to G.S. 115C-518, the Board of Education desires to convey tax parcel #12507120 as shown on the map attached hereto as Attachment B (referred to as \u201cBOE Office Building Site\u201d) to the County in exchange for more suitable replacement office space which (i) has a fair market value equal to or greater than the fair market value [of] the BOE Office Building Site which has been determined by appraisal to be $14,900,000 and (ii) provides equivalent or better utility to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools staff[.]\nUnder the terms of the Interlocal Agreement, Board agreed to convey to County its Office Building site. In exchange, County was to make available to Board $13,750,000.00 to develop additional replacement space, plus the use of one floor in the Government Center for twenty years. The agreement stated that the value of what was received by Board was not less than the fair market value of the Office Building site. It was acknowledged that the Board property was \u201cneeded for an exchange with Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors which will allow the County to obtain a site in Third Ward ... to be used as the site for a new County park and allow Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors and Spectrum Investment Services to develop Brooklyn Village.\u201d This agreement was executed by Board on 4 June 2007.\nOn 15 January 2007, plaintiff, writing on behalf of Brooklyn Renaissance, L.L.C., wrote to Dr. Peter C. Gorman, Superintendent of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Schools. In this letter, plaintiff expressed his opposition to the proposed interlocal agreement where Board\u2019s Office Property would be transferred to County. The letter acknowledged that the transaction had been reported to the County Commission at its 19 December meeting. It further demanded that other parties be given an opportunity to submit a proposal for acquisition of Board\u2019s Office Property and threatened to spend \u201c3-5 years in litigation with CMS\u201d if Board proceeded with the Interlocal Agreement. The letter closed with an offer to discuss plaintiff\u2019s plans for the Brooklyn Renaissance Project and how the CharlotteMecklenburg School properties would fit into these plans.\nPlaintiff commenced this action (Mecklenburg County case 07 CVS 9456) by filing a summons and a notice of lis pendens on the Board of Education property on 11 May 2007. Plaintiff\u2019s complaint was filed on 31 May 2007 and asserted seven claims for relief as follows: (1) for a declaratory judgment that the proposed conveyance of Board\u2019s property was unlawful under the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 115C-518; (2) for a declaratory judgment that the proposed conveyance of Board\u2019s property was unlawful under the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 115C-518; (3) for a declaratory judgment that the proposed method of disposition of Board\u2019s property was unlawful under the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-266; (4) for a declaratory judgment that Board abused its discretion in the proposed disposition of its property; (5) for a declaratory judgment that County\u2019s acquisition of Board\u2019s property was unlawful under the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 153A-158; (6) for a declaratory judgment that the actions of Board and County violated plaintiff\u2019s rights to due process and equal protection; and (7) for a preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting Board from transferring the property to County.\nOn 4 June 2007, plaintiff filed a second complaint in Mecklenburg County Superior Court (case 07 CVS 9577) seeking to block County\u2019s acquisition of property from the City of Charlotte for part of the Brooklyn Village project. Plaintiff also filed a notice of lis pendens on the property of the City of Charlotte. On 11 July 2007,- the Chief Justice designated both cases as \u201cexceptional\u201d cases pursuant to Rule 2.1 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts (2007).\nDefendants filed answers to plaintiff\u2019s complaint, denying the material allegations contained therein, and attached to their answers a number of exhibits, which included documents referenced in plaintiff\u2019s complaint. On 3 August 2007, defendants in both lawsuits filed motions to strike plaintiff\u2019s notice of lis pendens, and for judgment on the pleadings pursuant to Rule 12(c) of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. On 17 September 2007, plaintiff filed a motion to strike a portion of County\u2019s answer pursuant to Rule 12(f) of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.\nOn 12 October 2007, the trial court filed an order encompassing both lawsuits that granted defendants\u2019 motions for judgment on the pleadings, dismissing both of plaintiff\u2019s actions. Defendants\u2019 motions to cancel the notices of lis pendens were also granted, and plaintiff\u2019s motion to strike was denied.\nPlaintiff appeals.\nII. Consideration of Document not Referenced in Plaintiff\u2019s Complaint\nIn his first argument, plaintiff contends that the trial court erred in considering one of the exhibits attached to Board\u2019s answer. We disagree.\nBoard and County attached to their answers copies of certain documents. Plaintiff acknowledges that all but one of the documents were referred to in his complaint and were thus properly considered by the trial court. However, he contends that the written resolution entitled \u201cResolution Ratifying Execution Of The Brooklyn Village Interlocal Cooperation Agreement With The County Of Mecklenburg, North Carolina\u201d (Resolution) (Exhibit B to Board\u2019s answer) was not referenced in the complaint and should not have been considered by the trial court. The Board approved the Brooklyn Village Interlocal Agreement (Exhibit A to Board\u2019s answer) at its 8 May 2007 meeting and authorized its chairman to execute the agreement. Plaintiff filed a summons on 11 May 2007 and his complaint on 31 May 2007. The Interlocal Agreement was signed on 4 June 2007, and the Resolution was signed on 26 June 2007.\nPlaintiff argues that the Resolution was signed after he filed his complaint and could not possibly be referenced in his complaint. He further argues that by considering matters outside of the pleadings, the trial court converted defendants\u2019 Rule 12(c) motion into a Rule 56 motion for summary judgment, and he was entitled to respond to the motion and conduct discovery before the motion to dismiss was heard.\nWe review the trial court\u2019s granting of a Rule 12(c) motion de novo. Carpenter v. Carpenter, 189 N.C. App. 755, 659 S.E.2d 762, 764 (2008). A \u201cdocument attached to the moving party\u2019s pleading may not be considered in connection with a Rule 12(c) motion unless the non-moving party has made admissions regarding the document.\u201d Weaver v. Saint Joseph of the Pines, Inc., 187 N.C. App. 198, 205, 652 S.E.2d 701, 708 (2007).\nPlaintiff\u2019s complaint contains the following allegations relevant to the Resolution:\n16. Upon information and belief, on May 1, 2007, the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the Chairman of the Board to execute a \u201cLand Swap Interlocal Agreement\u201d between Defendant County and CMS.\n17. Upon information and belief, on or about May 8, 2007, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education by majority vote authorized the Chairman of CMS to execute the land swap agreement.\n18. Upon information and belief, on or prior to May 30, 2007, Defendant County, by and through its Chairman, Jennifer Roberts, executed that certain undated Brooklyn Village Interlocal Agreement between Defendant County and Defendant CMS (hereinafter referred to in this Complaint as the \u201cAgreement\u201d).\n19. Upon information and belief, the Agreement, executed by Defendant County, has been delivered to CMS and approved by its Director of Insurance and Risk Management and is pending signature by its Chairman, Joe White.\n20. Upon information and belief, both Defendants have directed their respective staffs, administrative personnel and legal counsel to prepare appropriate documentation for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by and described in the Agreement.\nPlaintiffs complaint goes on to make multiple references to the Interlocal Agreement entered into between Board and County.\nWe first note that the Resolution merely ratifies and memorializes in writing the actions of Board at its 8 May 2007 meeting approving the Interlocal Agreement. Plaintiffs complaint expressly acknowledges this action and also that Board and its staff were moving forward to \u201cprepare appropriate documentation.\u201d Plaintiff does not contend that Exhibit B to Board\u2019s answer is in any way inaccurate. We hold that under the specific circumstances of this case, where the complaint makes clear reference to the events of 8 May 2007, which was memorialized in the Resolution, that the trial court did not err in considering the Resolution in the context of defendants\u2019 Rule 12(c) motion to dismiss.\nFurther, even assuming arguendo that it was error for the trial court to have considered the Resolution, any error was harmless because, by plaintiff\u2019s own admission, the Interlocal Agreement was properly before the trial court.\nThis argument is without merit.\nIII. Statutory Claims\nIn his next two arguments, plaintiff contends that both defendants exceeded their statutory authority by agreeing to an exchange in which the Board site would ultimately be conveyed to a private third party. He further contends that he has alleged facts, which, when considered as true, demonstrate that Board cannot lawfully comply with the terms of the Brooklyn Village Interlocal Agreement because the Board site is crucial to its operations and is suitable and necessary for public school purposes.\nBefore analyzing plaintiff\u2019s arguments, we first review the relevant statutes and the rulings by the trial court.\nA. Intergovernmental Exchanges\nThe current version of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-274 provides that:\n(b) Any governmental unit may, upon such terms and conditions as it deems wise, with or without consideration, exchange with, lease to, lease from, sell to, or purchase from any other governmental unit any interest in real or personal property.\nN.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-274(b) (2007). Within its definition of \u201cgovernmental unit,\u201d the statute includes any county and any school administrative unit. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-274(a) (2007). The statute was amended in 2001 to eliminate a \u201cjoint use\u201d clause from subsection (b).\nChapter 115C of the North Carolina General Statutes governs state and local educational agencies. Local boards of education are authorized to dispose of school property. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 115C-518 (2007). In relevant part, the statute requires that:\nWhen in the opinion of any local board of education the use of any building site or other real property or personal property owned or held by the board is unnecessary or undesirable for public school purposes, the local board of education may dispose of such according to the procedures prescribed in General Statutes, Chapter 160A, Article 12, or any successor provisions thereto. Provided, when any real property to which the board holds title is no longer suitable or necessary for public school purposes, the board of county commissioners for the county in which the property is located shall be afforded the first opportunity to obtain the property. The board of education shall offer the property to the board of commissioners at a fair market price or at a price negotiated between the two boards. If the board of commissioners does not choose to obtain the property as offered, the board of education may dispose of such property according to the procedure as herein provided. Provided that no State or federal regulations would prohibit such action.\nN.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 115C-518(a) (2007).\nFinally, defendant County has been authorized by the General Assembly to dispose of any real property interest by public sale or by negotiated private sale \u201cwhen the Board of Commissioners determines that a sale or disposition of property will advance or further any county or municipality-adopted economic development, transportation, urban revitalization, community development, or land-use plan or policy.\u201d 2007 N.C. Sess. Law 33 (extending the limited authority first granted in 2000 N.C. Sess. Law 65, which included only five parcels of land fronting North College Street in the City of Charlotte, to include \u201cproperty owned by Mecklenburg County\u201d).\nB. Rulings of the Trial Court\nThe trial court held that plaintiff\u2019s complaint failed to state claims against Board upon which relief could be granted because Board\u2019s actions were authorized under the applicable statutes. First, the trial court concluded that Board acted within its authority pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7115C-36 in determining the suitability of the Board site. Second, the trial court concluded that such a determination complied with N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 115C-518, even though it did not put the determination in writing until after the complaint was filed. Regarding plaintiffs allegations that the transaction was a \u201csham\u201d designed to circumvent statutory provisions, the trial court held that:\nThe complaint alleges that the School Board had not previously considered disposing of its headquarters, and \u201chastily\u201d considered the Agreement; and that board members were somehow pressured to approve it, without any formal disposition plan, and without considering alternatives or even consulting real estate professionals. These largely conclusory allegations are negated by the contents of documents attached to and made part of the pleadings, which show that CMS was approached about the matter months before the Agreement was authorized and entered [sic]; that CMS stood to receive in exchange for the Education Center property in excess of appraised value; and that CMS considered the considerable age of the property and infeasibility [of] renovation.\nThe trial court concluded that the Interlocal Agreement was lawful under N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-274(b).\nHaving dismissed plaintiffs statutory claims against Board, the trial court then dismissed plaintiffs statutory claims against County on the basis that its acquisition of the Board site was authorized under the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-274(a).\nC. Standard of Review\nInsofar as plaintiffs arguments involve matters of statutory interpretation, our standard of review is de novo. In re Appeal of Murray, 179 N.C. App. 780, 786, 635 S.E.2d 477, 481 (2006). We do note that there is a presumption of legality afforded to public officials. Gregg v. Commissioners, 162 N.C. 479, 484, 78 S.E. 301, 302 (1913).\nRegarding the specificity of the pleadings, \u201c[t]he purpose of Rule 8(a) is to establish that the plaintiff will be entitled to some form of relief should he prevail on the claim raised by the factual allegations in his complaint[.]\u201d Holloway v. Wachovia Bank & Trust Co., 339 N.C. 338, 346, 452 S.E.2d 233, 237 (1994).\nD. Plaintiffs\u2019 Claims Against the Board\nIn his second argument, plaintiff contends that the trial court erred in its determination that Board properly acted under N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7\u00a7 115C-36, 115C-518, and 160A-274(b). We disagree.\n1. Unlawful Disposition and Conveyance Claims\nPlaintiff contends that the trial court erred in dismissing his first two claims against Board because: (1) Board was first required to determine that the subject property was unsuitable and unnecessary for public school purposes; (2) Board\u2019s continued occupancy of the building on the disputed property demonstrates that the site is necessary under Chapter 115C; and (3) the failure of Board to determine that the site was unsuitable or unnecessary renders its actions unlawful under Chapter 115C.\nHaving reviewed the record, we cannot agree with plaintiff\u2019s assertions that these claims sufficiently alleged any claim upon which he would be entitled to relief. Holloway at 346, 452 S.E.2d at 237. The Board\u2019s resolution to authorize its Chairman to approve the Brooklyn Village Interlocal Agreement is afforded a presumption of legality and correctness. Gregg at 484, 78 S.E. at 302. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7\u00a7 160A-274 and 115C-518 authorized Board, \u201cupon such terms and conditions as it deems wise,\u201d to exchange property owned by Board, based upon a determination that the property was no longer suitable and necessary for public school purposes. Board determined that the replacement office space in the Government Center was \u201cmore suitable\u201d for its needs. We hold that: (1) this determination is adequate to meet the unnecessary or unsuitable requirement of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 115C-518, and (2) plaintiff has failed to overcome the presumption of legality afforded public officials. Gregg at 484, 78 S.E. at 302.\nThis argument is without merit.\n2. Allegations Involving N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-266\nIn his Third Claim for Relief, plaintiff sought a declaratory judgment that the Agreement represented \u201can unlawful \u2018sham\u2019 transaction structured and arranged for the sole purpose of circumventing the statutory requirements [of] (N.C.G.S. \u00a7160A-266) and for the primary benefit\u201d of private developers. Plaintiff argues that the planned conveyance merely interposed County as a \u201cstrawman\u201d to circumvent legislative limits on Board\u2019s authority to dispose of the property in a private sale. We have already determined that the transactions at issue were authorized by statute. We consider this argument only to the extent that plaintiff alleged that the transaction was \u201chastily arranged\u201d and thus tainted.\nA \u201cmere assertion of a grievance\u201d against a governmental entity is insufficient to state a claim for relief. Alamance County v. Dept. of Human Resources, 58 N.C. App. 748, 750, 294 S.E.2d 377, 378 (1982) (some degree of factual particularity is required to satisfy the requirements of the substantive law giving rise to the pleadings).\nPlaintiff alleged that Board \u201cconsidered none of the available statutory methods for the disposition of the Education Center Property, but instead has in bad faith engaged in a hastily arranged structuring of a transaction to circumvent the public property disposition statutes for the sole benefit of Cornerstone/Spectrum[.]\u201d\nPlaintiff must overcome the presumption of legality afforded to public officials. Gregg, 162 N.C. at 484, 78 S.E. at 302. Moreover, where a source document, attached as an exhibit, is referred to by the pleadings, and its terms are inconsistent with the language of the pleading, the terms of the source document control. See Wilson v. Development Co., 276 N.C. 198, 206, 171 S.E.2d 873, 879 (1970) (\u201cThe terms of such exhibit control other allegations of the pleading attempting to paraphrase or construe the exhibit, insofar as these are inconsistent with its terms.\u201d); Hall v. Refining Co., 242 N.C. 707, 711, 89 S.E.2d 396, 399 (1955) (sustaining demurrer where contracts, incorporated in the complaint by amendment, \u201cneutralized the allegations of the original complaint and put to naught the cause of action asserted therein\u201d); Williamson v. Miller, 231 N.C. 722, 726, 58 S.E.2d 743, 746 (1950) (looking to the provisions of the contract attending the complaint rather than \u201cthe more broadly stated allegations ... or the conclusions of the pleader as to its character and meaning\u201d).\nIn the instant case, plaintiffs allegations refer to his 7 January 2007 demand letter to Board. The first sentence of the letter states:\nI am informed and believe that CMS staff is currently negotiating an inter-governmental agreement whereby CMS would relinquish title to the [Board site] as part of the so-called \u201cThird Ward land swap\u201d transaction. I am writing to express my adamant opposition to the transaction and the procedures being used by CMS in the contemplated disposition of this valuable public asset.\nBecause the letter was referenced in the complaint, it was properly before the court as part of the, pleadings. Wilson, 276 N.C. at 206, 171 S.E.2d at 879. The letter pre-dates Board\u2019s May 2007 resolution by five months. We hold that the language of the letter controls over plaintiff\u2019s allegations, id., and refutes his argument that the exchange of properties contemplated by the Interlocal Agreement was hastily arranged. Plaintiff\u2019s third claim failed to overcome the presumption of legality afforded to acts by public officials. Gregg, 162 N.C. at 484, 78 S.E. at 302. The trial court correctly concluded that plaintiff\u2019s allegations were grievances, Alamance County, 58 N.C. App. at 750, 294 S.E.2d at 378, rather than allegations sufficient to demonstrate bad faith circumvention of the law.\nThis argument is without merit.\n3. Discretionary Powers of the Board\nPlaintiff contends that the allegations in his Fourth Claim for Relief were sufficient to withstand defendants\u2019 motion because they are \u201cmore than adequate\u201d to show arbitrary and capricious conduct and a manifest abuse of discretion by Board. Plaintiff contends that the complaint alleges the following: The Interlocal Agreement was presented to Board only minutes before its consideration and approval; prior to its consideration of the Interlocal Agreement or the meeting where the Agreement was approved, Board had no plan for disposition of the Board site, had not engaged a consultant or real estate broker to advise it on the most effective means of disposal, or evaluated or considered any alternative disposition method which would have yielded a greater financial benefit; Board was \u201cpressed into a hasty approval\u201d of the Agreement by County. Specifically* plaintiff alleged that defendants \u201cactions . . . are in bad faith with the primary motive of enriching-Cornerstone and Spectrum to the detriment of other parties who might be interested in purchasing or developing the Education Center Property.\u201d\nIn support of his arguments, plaintiff cites three cases that predated the legislature\u2019s enactment of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-274. In particular, he relies upon Barbour v. Carteret County, 255 N.C. 177, 120 S.E.2d 448 (1961), for the proposition that \u201callegations that . . . [c]ounty commissioners paid twice the value for land without proper investigation stated a cause of action for arbitrary conduct and abuse of discretion.\u201d\nIn Barbour, our Supreme Court reversed a judgment sustaining a demurrer when the Barbour defendants \u201cadmitted that] the commissioners [had], without appraisal or other investigation as to value and for reasons known only to them, hastily agreed to pay $75,000 for property reasonably worth less than half that sum.\u201d Id. at 182, 120 S.E.2d at 452. In the instant matter, plaintiffs complaint does not allege, nor do defendants\u2019 answers admit, that either defendant had agreed, hastily or otherwise, to pay or exchange property for less than the appraised or fair market value.\nThe Barbour Court stated that:\nCourts have no right to pass on the wisdom with which [county commissioners] act. Courts cannot substitute their judgment for that of the county officials honestly and fairly exercised. For a court to enjoin the proposed expenditure, there must be allegation and proof that the county officials acted in wanton disregard of public good. Burton v. Reidsville, 243 N.C. 405, 90 S.E.2d 700; Kistler v. Board of Education, 233 N.C. 400, 64 S.E.2d 403; Waldrop v. Hodges, supra; Jackson v. Commissioners, 171 N.C. 379, 88 S.E. 521; Commissioners v. Commissioners, 165 N.C. 632, 81 S.E. 1001; Newton v. School Comm., 158 N.C. 186, 73 S.E. 886; Jeffress v. Greenville, 154 N.C. 490, 70 S.E. 919.\nId. at 181, 120 S.E.2d at 451. Although plaintiff\u2019s complaint alleges that the public officials acted \u201cto the detriment of other [interested] parties],]\u201d there are no allegations that those officials acted to enrich themselves or in wanton disregard of the public good. We hold that plaintiff\u2019s complaint failed to satisfy the pleading requirements of Barbour, and his reliance on Barbour is misplaced.\nBefore this Court, plaintiff orally argued that his pleadings alleged customary procedures in the marketplace that demonstrated Board\u2019s failure to follow its own procedures for disposing of property. This argument is disingenuous. Plaintiff\u2019s complaint does not recite a single procedure or guideline of either Board or County, much less allege that such procedures were violated.\nThis argument is without merit.\nE. Plaintiffs\u2019 Claims Against the Countv\nIn his third argument, plaintiff contends that the trial court erred in its determination that County was authorized to enter into the exchange of properties because N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 153A-158 limits its authority to acquire land \u201cfor use\u201d by County, and County has no plans to use the Board site. We disagree.\nPlaintiff\u2019s primary argument is that N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-274 is not independent authority that obviates the limitations established by N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 153A-158. He contends that intergovernmental exchanges involving acquisition of land by a county must still comply with the provisions of \u00a7 153A-158, and that, under Carter v. Stanly County, 125 N.C. App. 628, 482 S.E.2d 9, disc. review denied, 356 N.C. 276, 487 S.E.2d 540 (1997), County may not acquire the property to convey it to a private developer. County asserts that N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-274 is independent authority.\nIn Carter, Stanly County sought to purchase privately-owned land as an enticement to the State for the building of a prison. The Carter plaintiff sought declaratory judgment that the proposed transaction exceeded Stanly County\u2019s statutory authority under N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7\u00a7 153A-158 and 160A-274(b). The trial court dismissed the complaint, and Carter appealed. Before this Court heard the appeal, the General Assembly enacted legislation authorizing the transaction. 1996 N.C. Sess. Law 600. This Court first analyzed Stanly County\u2019s authority under the general statutes and Dillon\u2019s Rule, concluding that, absent the special statute, the transaction would indeed exceed Stanly County\u2019s authority. Instead, the Court concluded that \u201cStanly County\u2019s actions are now authorized by the General Assembly.\u201d Carter, 125 N.C. App. at 634, 482 S.E.2d at 13.\nPlaintiff\u2019s argument rests entirely upon Carter\u2019s analysis of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7\u00a7 153A-158 and 160A-274(b) and its application of Dillon\u2019s Rule to hold that, in the absence of the special legislation authorizing the transaction, Stanly County was hot authorized to consummate the transaction. However, this analysis is not applicable to the facts of this case.\nAt the time of the Carter decision, N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-274(b) read as follows:\nAny governmental unit may, upon such terms and conditions as it deems wise, with or without consideration, exchange with, lease to, lease from, sell to, purchase from, or enter into agreements regarding the joint use by any other governmental unit of any interest in real or personal property that it may own.\nN.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-274(b) (as quoted and emphasized in Carter, 125 N.C. App. at 632, 482 S.E.2d at 12.) The \u201cagreements\u201d clause including its limiting language as to \u201cjoint use\u201d was eliminated in 2001 N.C. Sess. Laws ch. 328 \u00a7 6. Carter relied upon the \u201cfor use by the county . ..\u201d language contained in N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 153A-158, and the \u201cjoint use by any other governmental unit\u201d language to hold that \u201cboth statutes place express limits on who may use the property purchased by the County.\u201d Carter, 125 N.C. App. at 633, 482 S.E.2d at 12. The transaction at issue clearly falls under the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 160A-274(b), which no longer contains the \u201cuse\u201d restriction present at the time Carter was decided. Thus, Carter is not controlling in this case.\nSecond, in the instant case, County will be retaining a portion of the property received from Board to be used as a public park. Carter placed great weight on the fact that Stanly County would not be using the property for its own governmental functions or jointly with the State. The instant case is thus factually distinguishable from Carter.\nFinally, plaintiff focuses entirely upon the portion of the Garter opinion which is essentially dicta. The ultimate holding in Carter was to affirm the trial court\u2019s dismissal of plaintiff\u2019s complaint, based upon the special legislation. As in Carter, there is special .legislation authorizing County to engage in this type of transaction. 2000 N.C. Sess. Laws 65; see also 2007 N.C. Sess. Laws 33. While these acts are not as transaction specific as the legislation described in Carter, they are sufficiently broad enough to encompass the transactions that are the subject of this litigation and to meet the requirements of Dillon\u2019s Rule.\nIV. Constitutional Claims\nIn a portion of his third argument, plaintiff contends that defendants\u2019 \u201ccollusive actions\u201d show intentional and purposeful discrimination and violated his constitutional rights to due process and equal protection. We disagree.\nIn his Sixth Claim for Relief and to this Court, plaintiff asserts that he and others similarly situated were not \u201cafforded a process by which they could submit a proposal\u201d to purchase the Board site. He cites a \u201cdemand letter\u201d sent to Board on 7 January 2007, in which he threatened litigation and demanded that\nshould CMS decide to dispose of the [Board site], such disposition should be conducted in accordance with a process that gives an equal opportunity for any qualified and interested party to submit a proposal for the acquisition and development of the site in the context of the current facilities needs of [the Board].\nIn the letter, plaintiff requested an opportunity to discuss his proposal to develop a four component campus for Board.\nThe threshold question in any due process claim is whether \u201ca constitutionally protected property interest exists.\u201d McDonald\u2019s Corp. v. Dwyer, 338 N.C. 445, 447, 450 S.E.2d 888, 890 (1994). \u201cTo demonstrate a property interest under the Fourteenth Amendment, a party must show more than a mere expectation; he must have a legitimate claim of entitlement.\u201d Id. (citing Bd. of Regents v. Roth, 408 U.S. 564, 33 L. Ed. 2d 548 (1972)). \u201cA legitimate claim of entitlement requires more than a unilateral expectation of a property interest.\u201d Sack v. N.C. State Univ., 155 N.C. App. 484, 499, 574 S.E.2d 120, 131 (2002) (citations and internal quotations omitted).\nWe agree with the trial court that plaintiffs complaint failed to allege anything more than a unilateral expectation of a property interest. Unilateral expectations are insufficient to demonstrate a property interest. McDonald\u2019s at 447, 450 S.E.2d at 890; Sack at 499, 574 S.E.2d at 131.\nAs to plaintiffs claims of equal protection violations, these claims are grounded in his allegations that defendants abused their discretion in negotiating urban development. Having determined that those allegations were unfounded, we decline to address his equal protection claim.\nThis argument is without merit.\nV. Motion to Strike\nIn his final argument, plaintiff contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion to strike the overview section of County\u2019s answer because said section was \u201cscandalous material\u201d and \u201cunresponsive to any allegation.\u201d We disagree.\n\u201cRule 12(f) of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, allows the court to strike \u2018from any pleading any insufficient defense or any redundant, irrelevant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter.\u2019 \u201d Carpenter, 189 N.C. App. at 759, 659 S.E.2d at 765 (quoting N.C.R. Civ. P. 12(f) (2005)).\nRule 12(f) motions are \u201caddressed to the sound discretion of the trial court and its ruling will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion.\u201d Id. (citation and internal quotations omitted). \u201c \u2018Matter should not be stricken unless it has no possible bearing upon the litigation. If there is any question as to whether an issue may arise, the motion [to strike] should be denied.\u2019 \u201d Id., 659 S.E.2d at 766 (quoting Shellhorn v. Brad Ragan, Inc., 38 N.C. App. 310, 316, 248 S.E.2d 103, 108, disc. review denied, 295 N.C. 735, 249 S.E.2d 804 (1978)).\nIn denying plaintiff\u2019s motion, the trial court found that County\u2019s answer complied with Rule 8(b) and (c) of the N.C. Rules of Civil Procedure and that the objectionable language \u201cascribe[d] a motive for the plaintiff\u2019s institution of litigation that is personal to him as one engaged in business pursuits [with an] \u2018alternative plan\u2019 for the [subject] properties . . . .\u201d The court further found that the matter might have a bearing upon the litigation. We hold that the trial court did not abuse, its discretion when it denied the motion to strike.\nThis argument is without merit.\nVI. Conclusion\nThe trial court properly considered defendants\u2019 exhibits as part of the record before it in defendants\u2019 Rule 12(c) motion. The trial court did not err in granting defendants\u2019 motion for judgment on the pleadings when the challenged transactions were authorized under prevailing law. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying plaintiff\u2019s motion to strike a portion of the County\u2019s answer when the answer complied with the provisions of Rule 8 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. -\nAFFIRMED.\nJudges JACKSON and STROUD concur.\n. First, Second, Third, and Fourth Claims for Relief.\n. First, Second, Third, and Fifth Claims for Relief.\n. Carter quotes the case of White v. Union County, 93 N.C. App. 148, 377 S.E.2d 93 (1989) for Dillon\u2019s Rule: \u201c \u2018[A] municipal corporation possesses and can exercise the following powers, and no others: First, those granted in express words; second, those necessarily or fairly implied in or incident to the powers expressly granted; third, those essential to the accomplishment of the declared objects and purposes of the corporation. . . .\u2019 \u201d Carter, 125 N.C. App. at 632, 482 S.E.2d at 11.", "type": "majority", "author": "STEELMAN, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Jerry Alan Reese, pro se.", "Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, by James P. Cooney III, and G. Michael Barnhill, for defendant Mecklenburg County.", "Helms Mulliss & Wicker, PLLC, by James G. Middlebrooks and J. Trevor Johnston, for defendant Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "JERRY ALAN REESE, Plaintiff v. THE CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG BOARD OF EDUCATION and COUNTY OF MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA, Defendants\nNo. COA08-397\n(Filed 5 May 2009)\n1. Evidence\u2014 consideration of exhibit \u2014 resolution\u2014 Interlocal Agreement\nThe trial court did not err in a declaratory judgment action . by considering one of the exhibits, a written resolution, attached to defendant board of education\u2019s answer in deciding defendants\u2019 Rule 12(c) motion to dismiss because: (1) the resolution merely ratified and memorialized in writing the actions of the board at its 8 May 2007 meeting approving an Interlocal Agreement with the county; (2) under the specific circumstances of this case, the complaint made clear reference to the events of 8 May 2007 which was memorialized in the resolution; and (3) even assuming arguendo that it was error for the trial court to consider the resolution, any error was harmless since by plaintiff\u2019s own admission, the Interlocal Agreement was properly before the trial court.\n2. Schools\u2014 board of education \u2014 transfer of property to county \u2014 compliance with statutes\nA county board of education\u2019s proposed transfer of an office site to the county as part of a redevelopment plan in exchange for use of office space in a county government center plus funds for developing replacement space complied with statutes authorizing the board, \u201cupon such terms and conditions as it determines,\u201d to exchange property it determined was no longer suitable or necessary for public school purposes, N.C.G.S. \u00a7\u00a7 160A-274 and 115C-518, because the board\u2019s determination that the replacement office space in the government center was . \u201cmore suitable\u201d for its needs was adequate to meet the unnecessary or unsuitable requirement in N.C.G.S. \u00a7 115C-518. Furthermore, plaintiff failed to overcome the presumption of legality of the acts of public officials.\n3. Schools\u2014 board of education \u2014 transfer of property to county \u2014 absence of bad faith\nA proposed transfer of a county board of education\u2019s office property to the county in exchange for use of space in a county government center as part of the county\u2019s plan for redevelopment was not so \u201chastily arranged\u201d that the transfer was tainted by bad faith as an attempt to circumvent statutory requirements for the primary benefit of private developers where: (1) a letter sent by plaintiff to the board five months prior to a board resolution authorizing the exchange noted that the board\u2019s staff was then negotiating the \u201cland swap\u201d transaction; and (2) plaintiff failed to overcome the presumption of legality of acts of public officials.\n4. Schools\u2014 board of education \u2014 county\u2014exchange of property \u2014 not arbitrary or abuse of discretion\nPlaintiff\u2019s complaint against a county board of education and the county regarding an agreement to exchange board property for county office space and certain funds as part of a county plan for redevelopment failed to state a claim that the conduct of public officials who entered the agreement was arbitrary and capricious and a manifest abuse of discretion where the complaint alleged that public officials acted to the detriment of other interested parties, but the complaint failed to allege that the public officials acted to enrich themselves or acted in wanton disregard of the public good, and the complaint did not recite any procedure or guideline that was allegedly violated.\n5. Counties\u2014 exchange of property with board of education \u2014 statutory and special legislative authority\nA county had authority to enter- into an agreement with the county board of education under which the board agreed to transfer board property to the county, which the county would convey in part to a private developer for a mixed-use development, in exchange for office space in a county government center and funds to develop additional office space because: (1) the transaction clearly falls within the provisions of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 160A-274(b) which no longer contains a \u201cfor use by the county\u201d restriction; (2) the county will retain a portion of the property for use as a public park; and (3) the county was authorized by special legislation to engage in such a transaction.\n6. Schools\u2014 board of education \u2014 transfer of property \u2014 unilateral expectation of property interest \u2014 due process claim\nPlaintiff\u2019s allegation that he and others similarly situated were not afforded a process whereby they could submit a proposal to purchase county board of education property which the board transferred to the county as part of an exchange agreement stated only a unilateral expectation of a property interest in the board\u2019s site that was insufficient to support a due process claim.\n7. Pleadings\u2014 overview section of answer \u2014 not scandalous or unresponsive \u2014 denial of motion to strike\nThe trial court did not err by denying plaintiff\u2019s motion to strike the overview section of defendant county\u2019s answer to plaintiff\u2019s complaint regarding an exchange agreement between the county and the county board of education as \u201cscandalous material\u201d or \u201cunresponsive to any allegation\u201d where the trial court found that the county\u2019s answer complied with the Rules of Civil Procedure, that the allegedly objectionable language ascribed a motive for plaintiff\u2019s institution of the litigation, and that the matter might have a bearing upon the litigation.\nAppeal by plaintiff from judgment entered 12 October 2007 by Judge Lindsay R. Davis, Jr., in Mecklenburg County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 24 September 2008.\nJerry Alan Reese, pro se.\nWomble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, by James P. Cooney III, and G. Michael Barnhill, for defendant Mecklenburg County.\nHelms Mulliss & Wicker, PLLC, by James G. Middlebrooks and J. Trevor Johnston, for defendant Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education." }, "file_name": "0539-01", "first_page_order": 567, "last_page_order": 584 }