District land‑acquisition committee members told the board they are nearing terms on a potential purchase of a parcel in the Gossamer Grove residential development that the district hopes to use for a future elementary school.

Dan, who led the subcommittee update, said the district negotiated a two‑part arrangement: a master agreement covering escrow and site terms, and a promissory note that would allow the district to defer payment until it secures state matching funds. "It appraised it, we had an independent appraiser come in, and it appraised at $3,800,000," Dan told trustees. He said the district has submitted a site package to the California Department of Education (CDE) and will not finalize the purchase until required approvals and matching funding are in place.

The subcommittee includes district administrators, site leaders and outside consultants such as PJHM (architects) and an attorney hired to assist with negotiations. The group said Lennar has been provided draft agreement language and that the district's attorney would follow up with the developer on final edits. The district is also concurrently discussing mitigation and support from the City of Shafter, including options such as joint parking and bus‑loading arrangements.

Staff described the parcel as located north of Seventh Standard on Callaway in the Gossamer Grove subdivision; the transcript contains an unclear reference to the acreage figure and the committee asked that the exact acreage be confirmed in forthcoming documents. Trustees were told most on‑site improvements (sidewalks, gutters, grading) have been completed by the developer. The district's stated next steps are to finish negotiations, return a final agreement for board review and, if approved, begin site planning and then construction.

The update also included a brief construction status report: work at Norris Elementary continues, with underground electrical work in progress; staff said weather could delay schedules but a concrete slab could be poured in December and building erection might follow the Christmas break. The project was described as on track for substantial completion around July 6, which administrators said would allow time to occupy the building before the next school year.

No final purchase agreement was approved at the meeting; trustees were asked to await formal package materials once negotiations and attorney reviews conclude.