Kuna school board tables sale of historic gym, directs talks with City

Trustees of the KUNA JOINT DISTRICT on a unanimous vote moved to table a proposed sale of the district's old gym and directed staff to negotiate with the City over potential shared-use and preservation terms.

The board discussed sealed bids received for the gym and how Idaho procurement rules treat bids below appraisal. Staff said one bid met the appraisal threshold while two others were nonresponsive because they fell below the appraisal. Trustees and a public commenter disagreed about the building's value and future use: Lane Saxton urged the board not to sell the gym, saying an earlier appraisal placed value at about $750,000 and that the building has been made safe after asbestos was encapsulated. Board members raised concerns that a City buyer would likely need to upgrade the building to current code, at significant cost, and that selling the gym could remove a valuable student and community space.

Trustee JD moved to table the sale until board members can negotiate with City officials and compile a list of nonnegotiable contract terms — including preserving space for district office and technology department functions and retaining options for shared use for assemblies and community programming. The motion was seconded and carried with recorded ayes from Hillary, JD, Michael, Kirsty and the chair.

Board members asked staff to return with negotiation points and to consider alternatives including obtaining a second appraisal, selling on the open market, or delaying a sale while evaluating replacement costs for district facilities. Staff also noted the appraisal included a code-upgrade estimate and that any buyer would be responsible for bringing the facility to current standards.

The board did not authorize an immediate sale and set next steps: two trustees will work with staff to draft negotiation priorities and the item will return for further discussion at a future meeting.