Board outlines plan to demolish Southwestern building using bond funds; asbestos remediation and community input raised

District staff told the board that the district is preparing to demolish the Southwestern school building because of safety concerns stemming from vandalism and repeated break‑ins.

"The building has sustained significant damage due to vandalism, break‑ins, and so forth," said a district presenter. Staff said the demolition would be paid for with proceeds from a recently approved voter bond and that contractors must complete asbestos‑related remediation work (referred to in the meeting as a ‘‘NISHAP’’) before demolition can proceed.

Trustees asked about what parts of the site would remain (track and parking lot), the timeline for abatement and demolition (staff suggested the asbestos step could be completed in ‘‘a week or two’’), and whether historic items could be preserved. One trustee noted the building bears a 1924 marker on its exterior and asked that plaques, bricks or the crown be salvaged for the alumni center or community display. Trustees also recommended notifying adjacent neighbors about demolition timing and offering a short public opportunity to retrieve small memorabilia such as bricks.

Staff said repurposed playground equipment from the bond could be installed on the cleared site as a temporary community playground if no developer purchases the property, and that decking the land for redevelopment could make the site more attractive to developers once asbestos and demolition work are finished.

No demolition contract was awarded at the meeting and no formal board vote occurred; staff said they will pursue required abatement steps and return with procurement and timeline details.