The Douglas Unified School District board on Thursday approved a limited amendment to a lease with Chiricahua Community Health Services that extends the closing date for the sale of the A Avenue School while a restrictive clause in the deed is addressed.

Miss Homanillo, speaking for the administration, told the board title work by Pioneer Title Agency revealed a provision in the A Avenue School deed referencing the Douglas Investment Company that states, in her words, "That said premise shall not be used in any way for the purpose or trade or business." She said the language, created about 107 years ago, made Chiricahua's lender uneasy and needs to be resolved before the lender will fund the purchase.

The amendment approved by the board allows an initial 90‑day extension and includes language permitting up to two additional 90‑day extensions, creating a potential new closing date of June 30, 2026. "Chiricahua is still very interested in purchasing," Miss Homanillo said, "they just need this extra time to be able to figure this matter and take care of it." She also said the district’s attorney drafted the amendment and that any expense related to clearing title is the buyer’s responsibility.

Board members pressed administration on several points before the vote. Mister Smith said he was "a little bit leery" about the situation given repeated delays and the absence of a Chiricahua representative at meetings; he called the timing "kind of circumspect" and asked who could contest the deed restriction. Administration replied that no party has contested the district’s prior commercial leases and that the immediate concern is the buyer’s lender, not current rental performance.

The board heard that Chiricahua has not defaulted on monthly payments; the rent was confirmed as $14,075 per month. Superintendent/administration said those payments are deposited to fund 500 and could be used to help cover employee health insurance, increasing the district’s interest in maintaining the revenue stream.

Mister Langhorne moved to approve the extension agreement, and the motion was seconded by Miss Salchow. Board members recorded affirmative votes when polled by the president: Mister Smith, Miss Celcia, Mister Lindeman, Mister Ramos, Mister Bridal and Miss Samaniego voted yes. The motion carried.

Next steps laid out by staff and administration: Chiricahua and its counsel will pursue either locating descendants of the Douglas Investment Company or determining whether the company has been dissolved; if the title restriction cannot be cleared administratively, the parties may need to seek a court determination. The administration said it will notify the board and return with a recommendation — including possible rent adjustments if the sale does not proceed — if the title matter remains unresolved at the end of the extended term.