Trustees authorize public hearing on disposal of three district parcels including old Hillcrest and former aquatic center site

Campbell County School District #1 administration asked the board for permission to schedule a public hearing to begin the formal disposal process for three district‑owned parcels the administration does not consider strategic for future school siting.

Staff described the three properties: Fox Park (6.9 acres), which staff said is undersized for an elementary site; the old Hillcrest elementary (about 7.5 acres), where staff said the existing building would require costly fire‑suppression upgrades and that options include mothballing, demolition or surplus sale; and the former aquatic center site (about 12 acres), which staff said is appropriately sized for an elementary site but would require district‑funded demolition if the district does not retain it.

Staff told trustees that because all three parcels were purchased prior to 1998, proceeds from a sale would be placed in the district’s depreciation fund for future capital use and must be accounted for separately, per statute. Staff outlined the disposal process: schedule public input/hearing, bring recommendations to the board, seek approval from the School Facilities Commission (which must approve disposals and historically has not denied requests), issue an RFP for a real estate agent/broker if approved, and return to the board for approval of any final sale.

A trustee asked for examples of allowable capital expenditures from the depreciation account; staff listed examples such as additional square footage, stadium enhancements and restrooms or concession buildings. The board voted unanimously to proceed to a public hearing on the three parcels.

Staff said they will solicit public input through a hearing and return recommendations to the board; if the board approves disposal, staff will seek School Facilities Commission approval and then pursue sale or other disposition options.