Residents urge district to keep Florence Flanner site public, cite surplus-land and Naylor Act protections

Multiple community members used public comment at the Bassett Unified School District board meeting on Aug. 26 to oppose proposals they said would allow private development at the former Florence Flanner school site and to call for the property to remain public open space. Speakers asked the district to comply with state law before any disposition of the property, to pursue community engagement, and to consider park uses rather than market-rate housing.

Samuel Brown, a resident and community activist, told the board he had sent an email to district staff and said he had located letters from 2016 and 2018 concerning an alleged inappropriate relationship involving a former board member; he reminded the district of its mandated-reporter obligations. Brown also formally told the board he was placing the district on notice of potential litigation regarding Florence Flanner. He cited the California Surplus Land Act (Government Code sections 54220-54234) and the Naylor Act (Education Code sections 17485-17500), saying those statutes require school districts to offer surplus property first for affordable housing, parks, open space and similar public uses and that a 99-year lease could constitute a disposal triggering the statutes' requirements.

Other public commenters pressed for a park, described safety and parking concerns in the neighborhood and reported receiving real-estate solicitations. A resident who said she was 86 urged the board from the podium to preserve the site for children and the community. Francisco Renas said he had received multiple unsolicited letters from real estate agents and said new construction adjacent to his backyard would harm privacy and safety. Lupe (Luis) Cruz, identifying herself as a teacher and community activist, criticized the district's approach to property sales and urged more community outreach; she also criticized a recent superintendent salary adjustment as inappropriate amid declining enrollment. Jim Vega, speaking as a local real estate broker and resident, urged trustees to consider creating park space and warned that letting market-rate developers buy public land would further reduce local open space.

Board members did not take action on Florence Flanner during the meeting; staff and trustees repeatedly encouraged community members to meet with the superintendent and staff for further discussion. No formal disposition of the site was reported during the meeting record.