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Residents urge board to keep closed school sites public; mixed testimony on resolutions to preserve Lomita property
Summary
Community speakers urged the board to adopt resolutions preserving closed school properties for public uses (agriculture, equestrian/CTE, parks) and to resist selling land to private developers; other commenters warned the resolutions could be illegal or lack funding.
Dozens of community members testified in favor of resolutions on the agenda that would commit the district to preserve closed school properties, including the Lomita site, for public uses rather than sell them to private developers.
Supporters described local environmental burdens, scarce parks and the need for hands‑on career technical education. Sam Brown and others urged the board to keep Lomita for an agricultural, equestrian and veterinary learning center connected to Future Farmers of America and 4‑H. Speakers tied the preservation request to equity concerns in Avocado Heights and other neighborhoods that face pollution, limited open space, and limited CTE opportunity.
Opponents and one commenter (Gansey Moss) urged trustees to reject the resolutions, asserting they could violate state law and that no funding sources had been identified to carry out the proposed projects. Several speakers warned the board against directing staff to undertake projects without identified funds and raised the possibility of legal exposure.
Trustees heard both sides during public comment and agreed to reorder and table certain items earlier in the meeting to manage the large agenda. The district will continue discussion on these agenda items at the scheduled meeting continuance.
Next steps: Resolutions 7.02d and 7.02e remain on the agenda for further consideration at the continuance; staff and community members requested more detailed proposals including funding sources and legal analysis.
