Board briefed on high‑school land assignment and appraisal discrepancies; staff say due diligence clears floodplain concerns
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Staff and project representatives told the board the district is preparing to assume a land‑purchase assignment for a planned P3 high school, explained why independent appraisals varied (district appraisers lacked later-arriving due‑diligence documents), and said updated environmental and survey work shows no floodplain or protected‑species constraints on the buildable parcel.
Mr. Green and district project representatives updated Polk County School Board members on Jan. 13 about a planned assignment that would have the school board step into an existing land‑sale agreement so the district can own the underlying parcel for a new P3 high school.
Project staff said three appraisals obtained by Fortress (the original development partner) averaged a significantly higher per‑acre valuation than two earlier district appraisals. Staff explained the discrepancy by saying the district appraisers completed work before key due‑diligence documents (surveys, environmental reports and title materials) were finalized and shared; after receiving those documents, the district asked its appraisers to update their analyses.
Board members raised questions about acreage totals and possible floodplain or wetland constraints. A project representative said the purchased parcel is 62.5 acres with an additional donated parcel of just under 10 acres (bringing the total to roughly 70 acres) and that recent, full environmental and delineation studies show the build site is not in the 100‑year floodplain and contains minimal wetlands where construction is not planned. The representative said geotechnical and traffic studies are complete and suitable for building.
Mr. Green said the assignment documents and updated appraisals will be forwarded to trustees and are planned for board consideration at the Jan. 27 meeting, allowing members time to review the signed agreements and updated valuations. Board members asked for a written summary of any cost deviations and for staff to clarify long‑term insurance and permitting implications of owning the land earlier in the development timeline.
What happens next: updated appraisals and the packet of signed documents will be provided in advance of the Jan. 27 meeting for board review and potential action on the land assignment.