Superintendent warns SAO lease expires in 2028; board presses for site and plan
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Summary
Dr. Gordon presented a six-year staffing and SAO organizational report, flagged HVAC and safety issues in the professional building and reminded the board that the SAO lease expires Dec. 31, 2028; members urged a plan and site decision before the end of the school year.
Superintendent Dr. Gordon presented an informational School Administrative Office (SAO) report at the Nov. 13 board meeting that reviewed historical staffing, organizational charts and the physical condition of the SAO professional building.
Dr. Gordon noted the division is "lean" in central-office staffing compared with peers and said the current lease for the professional building expires on Dec. 31, 2028. "Design work is gonna be 6 to 9 months," he said, and renovation "is gonna be 20 to 24 months wherever we go," warning that a plan must be in place before the end of the school year to avoid disruption. He also recounted recent maintenance incidents, saying a window fell onto the sidewalk and was promptly repaired.
Board members pressed for an actionable timeline and encouraged outreach to City Council before the Dec. 3 joint meeting so the board can "articulate and justify the need for a bigger facility," Vice Chair McGee said. Several members emphasized the need to select a site for the Elephants Fork Elementary replacement or otherwise finalize a plan for SAO relocation to prevent recurring overcrowding and HVAC issues.
The SAO report was informational; the board did not take a formal vote on a site or capital plan during the session, but members asked that staff continue work and present options at the upcoming joint meeting with city officials.