Pullman School District approves sale of Aquatic Center and 2.25 acres to Schweitzer Engineering

The Pullman Public Schools Board of Directors voted June 30 to declare 2.25 acres that include the Pullman Aquatic Center surplus and approved a purchase-and-sale agreement to transfer the property to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL).

District staff said the property has been owned by the Pullman School District since 1970 and “is no longer necessary for current or future educational purposes,” a rationale that the board accepted when it approved resolution 24‑25‑12. Justin (staff member) told the board the sale includes language ensuring continued Pullman School District access for activities such as fifth‑grade camp and swim lessons.

The board also approved a short‑term interlocal agreement with the City of Pullman to maintain day‑to‑day operations of the aquatic center while the sale is finalized. The interim interlocal runs from Sept. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, to avoid service interruptions after the district’s existing interlocal with the city expires at the end of August 2025, the district said.

Why it matters: the action transfers ownership of a public recreational facility and adjacent land while preserving the district’s ability to use the pool for curricular and youth programs. The interlocal agreement is intended to bridge operations during the transfer process and give the city, district and buyer time to coordinate a transition.

Board discussion and decisions: Justin (staff member) presented the resolution and the purchase‑and‑sale agreement, describing the district’s facility planning and the steps taken with legal counsel and real estate advisors to protect district interests. He said the agreement “outlines the terms and conditions under which SEL will acquire the associated land from the district.”

Amanda (board member) asked whether the district would retain access for swim teams and school programs; Justin replied that the purchase‑and‑sale agreement includes language preserving those uses. “Everything that we have used it for and what we intend to use it for in the future — fifth grade camp, second, third grade swim lessons — those things will still be available for Pullman School District,” Justin said.

Lisa (board member) asked for a map‑style clarification of the parcel’s boundaries; Justin described the 2.25‑acre footprint as extending roughly past the building toward the high school, north past the gazebo into Military Hill Park and then down along the top of the hill toward the parking lot.

Timing and transition: Justin said the parties expect the sale to finalize in September 2025 but gave differing references to the exact date, noting both that it could be “around Sept. 5 or a little bit later” and that, in other discussions, it appeared the transaction would likely finalize “after Sept. 15.” The board moved and approved the short‑term interlocal so the city could plan fall activities without interruption.

Formal actions: the board first moved resolution 24‑25‑12 to an action item and approved it. It then moved the purchase‑and‑sale agreement to action and approved the agreement. Finally, the board moved the short‑term interlocal agreement with the City of Pullman to action and approved that agreement. Each motion was approved by voice vote with all members present saying “aye.”

What stays the same: Justin told the board that cost‑sharing and operational arrangements with the city under the interim interlocal will remain the same as the current agreement for the four months covered by the extension; the district said fees will remain at this year’s rate for that period.

Next steps and oversight: district staff said remaining due diligence, closing procedures and any interim facility‑use agreements will be brought to the board as needed. The board did not record any abstentions or recorded roll‑call tallies in the meeting transcript; each item was approved by unanimous voice vote.

The meeting adjourned after the approvals.