Facilities director Mr. Greer briefed the Building, Grounds & Security Committee on multiple campus upgrades and property actions at the Nov. 1 meeting.

Completed and planned upgrades: Walnut Hill Elementary finished a serving‑line and dining‑area expansion in August and staff plan to demolish on‑site tennis courts to construct an auditorium expected to seat roughly 600; the goal is to align Walnut Hill with other K–8 campus capacities and complete the auditorium by 2026. J. S. Clark received cafeteria and auxiliary gym renovations and is phasing in middle grades; staff reconfigured library space into a digital library for middle‑grade research and media access. Donny Bickham’s new wing bid was approved Oct. 21 and staff plan a Nov. 17 groundbreaking to expand capacity ahead of consolidated enrollments.

Transportation hub: the district reported multi‑phase work at 2020 Midway Avenue to create a new transportation hub. Phase 1 (abatement/demolition) is complete; Phase 2 will add fueling stations, service and parts storage and administrative offices; staff project final repurposing and related work in about 2027. Designers also proposed constructing a new access drive from the Donny Bickham site to Highway 1 to reduce congestion and minimize bus/parent conflicts; that tie‑in would likely require external funding for turn lanes.

Property sales and appraisals: Greer reported the district closed the Queensborough Elementary sale Sept. 9 for $1,300,000 and the Barrett Padilla Academy sale Sept. 30 for $425,000. Newton Smith Elementary is in a second bid cycle with a minimum set at $832,000 (appraisal $1,040,000) and had received no bids at the time of the meeting; bidding closes Nov. 13. Staff said Blanchard Elementary appraised at $1,060,000 and the 81st Street ECE Center appraised at $949,000. Listing agent Laura Brightwell said the Pine Valley Elementary site has an offer and staff presented a recommendation to accept it.

Public comment and community concerns: John Glover praised workforce work but asked that basic academic preparation not be reduced in the process of expanding career programs. Omari Hussain asked why parents at the 81st Street site had not been formally notified of planned closures and noted the board removed a public‑hearing requirement from policy on Oct. 21; he asked for more transparency about where sale proceeds and capital funding will be directed.

Action taken: the committee voted to recommend that the full board approve staff to accept the purchase offer for Pine Valley Elementary; the motion was moved and seconded, passed by voice vote and confirmed electronically. Staff said proceeds and detailed funding plans will be reported to the superintendent and the full board as negotiations and closings proceed.

Next steps: staff will continue design and permitting work for the Donny Bickham wing and Midway transportation hub, coordinate with state and local transportation officials on turn‑lane needs, and update the board on bids and property disposition timelines as offers and appraisals move toward closing.