School board approves lower sale price for John L. Gibson property; city to proceed amid charter group's interest

The Escambia County School Board voted to approve an amended sales agreement that reduces the purchase price for the former John L. Gibson school property and allows the district to proceed toward closing with the city of Pensacola.

The motion to approve an amendment to the sales agreement for the John L. Gibson property passed 3-2. The amendment adjusts the sale price to reflect the cost of restoring the building, which district staff said is substantial. "That study revealed substantial amounts of contribution cost that it would take to preserve that building," said Dennis (district realty staff), speaking to the board about the city’s preservation study. "The number you have before you is essentially the value of the property not sitting underneath the building…"

Why it matters: The decision moves the district closer to transferring the property to the city under the amended price and affects local groups seeking a permanent site for charter or community programs. Members of Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy (JHPA) told the board they want the former school as a continuing educational home and asked the district to consider working with the city and the charter to preserve the structure.

District staff told the board that the district accepted an earlier offer and entered a contract with the city after a public offering period in September 2024. Dennis described the sale as an "as is" transfer with a due-diligence period for the purchaser to survey and study the building. He said the city undertook an intensive preservation study and negotiated an adjusted price to reflect preservation costs; a yes vote would allow closing to proceed. "We're pretty proud of the relationship that we fostered with the city," Dennis said.

Speakers representing Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy urged the board to help the charter secure the site. "This property is especially important to me," said Celestine Lewis, identifying herself as a founding member of Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy. "We would like to purchase the John a Gibson School for our new home." Fred Gunther of Gunther Properties told the board the charter had submitted a cash offer for $275,000 with a $50,000 deposit and a three-week closing window. "The school is aware the building's flooded…we have submitted a cash offer with no contingencies," Gunther said.

Board members and staff noted the building’s age and the high cost of rehabilitation. Board member Lisa Burgosch asked for clarification from staff about contract implications of delaying action; Dennis warned that moving beyond the contract’s due-diligence period could constitute a violation. Board member Victor Peskov said he wanted the district to continue looking for other properties that might be more economical for the charter. "I'd rather see if there's some other properties that we might know of or might be available…because the cost to get it up and running…is a lot," Peskov said.

The board invited Jacqueline Harris representatives to continue working with the city and district staff. Captain Alexander, who identified himself as representing the charter’s board, told the board the prospective purchaser on the submitted contract is Creative Learning LLC, which he said is the board's legal buyer name.

What's next: With approval of the amended sales agreement, district staff said they expect to move immediately toward closing under the contract terms with the city. The amendment passed 3-2; the board record does not show individual roll-call votes in the public transcript.