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Board approves multiple surplus property sales; city, Habitat and others emerge as buyers
Summary
Trustees accepted recommended offers for several surplus properties after a realtor presentation; notable approvals included Kirby (buyer: Wichita Falls Chamber on behalf of the city) and Monroe/Van Buren transactions, while a very low Sam Houston offer was rejected and will be re‑listed.
The Wichita Falls ISD board reviewed the district’s surplus property sales process and voted to accept several recommended offers after a presentation from the district’s realtor, Bishop Group.
Lauren Zod and Bishop Group representatives explained the board‑approved process — appraisal, public notice, sealed bids, and the requirement to offer properties to in‑boundary open‑enrollment charter schools — and described the five recommended bids. The realtor said they received offers for all five properties and recommended acceptance of most, noting appraised values and net‑proceed estimates for each parcel.
On the Kirby building, Bishop said a buyer emerged: “the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the city of Wichita Falls,” and that the offer matched the list price of $1,225,000. Bishop described contract terms including a requested 90‑day feasibility period, a 2% earnest money requirement ($24,500), and a shared Alta survey fee; board members discussed splitting the survey cost and approved the contract.
Trustees voted to accept the recommended higher offers for Lamar and Kirby and to reject a low $11,000 bid on Sam Houston and re‑list it. They also approved the Monroe property sale to the higher bidder ($10,055) and accepted a Habitat for Humanity offer for Van Buren. Staff provided net proceeds estimates for the recommended bids and said proceeds will be deposited into the district’s general fund unless a property had purchase restrictions tied to federal funds.
Board members pressed staff on disclosure protocol (whether appraisals must be publicly disclosed) and the potential costs to abate or demolish structures to make some parcels marketable. Staff said they maintain asbestos surveys on district buildings and will obtain abatement estimates where needed before further decisions.
Next steps: staff were authorized to finalize contracts and, where necessary, negotiate terms or re‑solicit properties as directed by the board. Several of these actions were approved unanimously (7–0).
