Wichita Falls ISD board approves $550,000 bid for Lamar Elementary, authorizes superintendent to sign contract

The Wichita Falls Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $550,000 bid for the former Lamar Elementary property and authorized Superintendent Donnie Lee to sign a purchase contract, board leaders said at a special session. The district received one electronic bid from Overland Land Group of Salina, Kansas and opened the solicitation at 2 p.m. on the day the board closed bids.

The approval allows the district to proceed to contract negotiations and gives the superintendent authority to execute the contract on the district’s behalf, but trustees said Dr. Lee will return to the board if he identifies material concerns before signing. The bid includes a 90-day feasibility period and a offered 135-day closing timeline measured from contract signature; the solicitation also called for a bid deposit and a 2% earnest-money provision if the contract is executed.

Why it matters: The sale could lead to redevelopment of a district property and change neighborhood housing options. Board members discussed the possibility that the buyer will pursue federal tax…