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Board raises concerns about city’s proposed police station on school land, seeks more detail
Summary
Trustees and community members who attended city neighborhood forums questioned how the city’s proposed police station would affect about four acres of school green space near Madera, where options include a splash pad, park or obstacle course; trustees asked the city to identify replacement play space and clarify requirements for registered-offender registration at a nearby police station.
Board members reported on neighborhood forums the city held about a proposed new police station sited south of the railroad tracks on land that currently includes school green space used by Madera-area students.
Board President (unnamed) and trustees said they had watched the recorded neighborhood presentation and question-and-answer sessions and that the city has not yet provided a formal proposal for the district to review. "We do not have official word from them that they’re ready for that," Dr. Schultz said.
Trustees and community members at the forum raised specific concerns about loss of green/play space and what replacement options would look like. One trustee asked the city to identify replacement property to compensate for "the four acres plus" potentially taken for the project and to ensure replacement space serves Madera children rather than being sited near a different school. Another board member noted questions raised at the forum about where state-required registered-offender registration would occur and whether a police station adjacent to two schools would create a registration-site concern.
Board members emphasized that the district’s land would likely be sold, traded or conveyed only if a formal request is presented and agreed to: "It's our land, but ... we would be selling or trading or giving up that land," one trustee said. Trustees asked the city to provide clearer timelines and answers to community questions before the board would consider any action.
Why it matters: the proposed location overlaps district property and could reduce on-site play and recreation space used by students; trustees stressed replacement space, accessibility for students with disabilities and long-term space needs should be addressed before any land transfer.
Next steps: the board said it will await a formal proposal from the city and requested that the city clarify replacement park plans, timelines and where registration duties for mandated registrants would occur. Trustees encouraged the public to view the recorded city forum online.
