The School Board voted Wednesday to give a small portion of the future site of a new elementary school to the city of Suffolk to locate a water tower.

With Phyllis Byrum absent due to a family emergency, board members voted unanimously to transfer to the city 1.4 acres from a 47-acre site at 100 Pioneer Road.

The portion of land was purchased for an “elevated water storage tank” to help with fire protection and water pressure in areas adjacent to Route 58, a board resolution says.

Both the city and the board agreed the portion “will not be needed as part of the public school system,” the resolution also says.

School district officials intend for classes at the future 700-pupil school, replacing the aging Southwestern Elementary and shuttered Robertson Elementary schools, to begin with the new school year in 2014.