Show Low board waives right of first refusal for Clay Springs property, requires deed restriction barring future school use

The Show Low Unified School District board voted to waive its contractual first right of refusal and allow the county to transfer the Clay Springs school building and property to the Clay Springs Foundation, with language added to the deed to prohibit future educational uses.

The board’s superintendent, Dr. Farnsworth, told trustees the district took the Clay Springs campus under a 10-year contract with the county and that the county now wants to sell the property to the Clay Springs Foundation. Farnsworth said negotiations added deed language restricting the property so “they cannot ever use that property for a charter school, a homeschool, a private school, or any type of educational facility,” and that both attorneys had approved the language. He recommended the board waive its right of first refusal and allow the transfer for $1.

Board President John Larson said he supported the outcome and noted that insisting on a right of first refusal was part of the original negotiation. The motion to waive the district’s right carried with the board voting in favor.

The board recorded no further conditions on the sale beyond the deed restriction and the administration indicated the new deed language will travel with future conveyances.

The board’s action resolves the district’s consent requirement in the earlier contract and leaves the property with the Clay Springs Foundation subject to the deed restriction.

The board did not discuss a timetable for conveyance beyond stating the transfer price would be one dollar and that attorneys on both sides agreed to the restriction.

No public comment, competing bids, or proposals for reuse of the property as an educational facility were recorded during the discussion.