Neighbors and board candidate urge careful review of proposed teacher housing project
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Summary
Two public commenters urged the board to examine a preliminary plan for 70-unit teacher housing — raising questions about neighborhood consultation, traffic impacts on 40th Street and the percentage of units guaranteed for teachers (reported as about 20%).
Two members of the public used the Feb. 19 work session to press the board on how the district would pursue a proposed teacher housing project.
Sabrina Daniel, a District 8 board candidate, said teacher housing can help recruitment and retention and suggested the board consider using district-owned land or selling unused property to fund a project. "I believe it's a fabulous concept for teacher recruitment and retention," she said, urging the district to weigh traffic and acreage concerns in the Saint Elmo area.
Melanie Stover, who said she lives in Saint Elmo, asked for neighborhood consultation and questioned preliminary project details she said were being discussed internally. Stover said the preliminary plan she had heard would create roughly 70 units (about two cars per unit) and that only "20% of them are guaranteed to be for teachers." She urged the district or contractor (CNE, as mentioned in the comment) to meet with neighborhood associations and to commission a traffic feasibility study before proceeding.
Board members did not take formal action during the work session. The item remained in public comment, and the speakers asked the board and district staff to provide more concrete project details and neighborhood outreach before any formal proposal is advanced.