Higley Unified board votes 4-1 to ask voters to authorize sale, lease or exchange of district land

The Higley Unified School District Governing Board voted 4-1 to adopt a resolution ordering a special election to ask voters to authorize the sale, lease or exchange of district property.

The vote came after board members debated whether the ballot language should specify how proceeds would be used and whether a lease option would obligate the district to take on property-management responsibilities. The measure passed after Board President Amanda Wade moved the resolution and Board Member Scott Glover seconded; Vice President Tiffany Schultz, Board Members Sarah Jarmon and Scott Glover voted yes, and Board Member Anna Van Hook voted no.

Board President Amanda Wade framed the resolution as a step to give taxpayers the option to authorize disposition authority in the future rather than approve any particular transaction now. “If the voters approve this in November, then next year or in the future it will come back to the board…for how the administration’s ultimate recommendation is as to any disposition,” said Mr. Gill, legal counsel to the board, summarizing the legal effect of voter approval.

Why it matters: district officials said potential lease revenue could be…