Blueprint seeks school district land for $5 million road extension; board members question proposed donation

Board members spent a substantial portion of Monday’s meeting on a proposed road extension led by the joint local agency known as Blueprint, which would run past Robertson and Mumford schools and connect to future development.

School Board Member Smith, who met with Blueprint staff, said the agency is hoping the district will either transfer a small parcel or contribute money — roughly the appraised value of the district-owned property — to facilitate negotiations with a co-owner of the parcel, the Apalachee Land Conservancy.

"The land that we own has value to it…they have an appraisal on it. It's like $300,000. So it's nothing to sneeze at," Smith said, noting that Blueprint has proposed either buying the parcel at appraised value or asking the district to donate the land back to Blueprint to simplify the acquisition process.

Board members pressed for clarity on what the district would receive in exchange. Several members said the proposed road — a large project estimated in discussion at about $5 million — would improve traffic flow for parents and buses near Mumford and numbering connections to Centerville and the future Waulani area. Smith and others said Blueprint had offered design changes requested by the district, such as shrinking and relocating a retention pond.

But Smith and other board members said they were hesitant to cede an asset without compensation. She noted the money could instead fund personnel, technology, or other school priorities. Superintendent and staff and Blueprint representatives, according to the meeting record, said Blueprint prefers to have the district’s cooperation to smooth negotiations with the conservancy and the neighboring landowners; if an agreement cannot be reached, Blueprint could pursue eminent domain and would be required to pay fair market value and legal costs.

Staff said the parcel in question includes roughly 3 acres not protected by the conservation easement and about 15 acres within the conservation easement; the larger easement parcel is the piece that would likely require negotiation with the conservancy. Staff reminded the board that, by statute, there is a roughly 30-day window after an offer presentation for the board to act before the agency could initiate acquisition proceedings.

Blueprint planned to present project maps and the appraisal to the board on Feb. 11, with the agency hoping for a board decision by the second meeting in February so Blueprint can move forward with negotiations.

No board action was taken at Monday’s meeting. Board members asked staff to gather more details before any decision and suggested the superintendent and board chair raise membership or liaison opportunities with Blueprint to increase the district’s role in future planning.