Superintendent Travis Bellville gave the board an update on the Sheets family property matter during the Oct. 20 meeting, outlining a nearly 13-year timeline and confirming the board had revised agreements and extended deadlines as the family tried to sell and move a house located on district property.

Bellville said the original purchase-and-move agreement dated to February 2012 and included a six-month window for the Sheets family to relocate the house. After the family gave notice terminating a life estate on June 21, 2024, the board voluntarily extended the removal deadline and later offered to return the $1 nominal payment so that the house would revert to the district and the district would be responsible for removal.

“We extended the deadline to 06/15/2025, so essentially gave another 6 months,” Bellville said, describing how the board sought to be “good neighbors” by providing extra time. He said the board later extended the deadline from June 15 to June 30, 2025, and that after the deadline passed the district sent an agreement to the family on Aug. 26, 2025, proposing to accept the house and undertake removal.

Bellville said the family requested revisions that would limit the district’s options — specifically asking that the district agree only to demolish the house rather than auction or sell it — and attorneys revised the demolition agreement and re-sent it Oct. 13. The family immediately requested another revision.

Why it matters
The dispute affects the district’s property, potential maintenance costs and legal exposure. Bellville told the board the district’s attorneys are uncomfortable with a simplified version of the agreement the family requested because of safety and liability concerns. He said the board would discuss the matter with counsel during executive session and that copies of the agreements are available as public records.

Details and next steps
Bellville said the board had repeatedly extended deadlines even though the extensions were not requested by the Sheets family. He described the board’s efforts to give the family time to secure buyers or move the house and said that district staff had shared copies of the communications and agreements in the public records folder for community review.

The board planned to discuss the matter further in executive session with its attorney. Bellville said he wanted the timeline to be public so community members understand the district’s steps and past accommodations.

Provenance
Superintendent Bellville provided the chronology and documents; the board scheduled attorney-level discussion in executive session.