CFO outlines speculative request for developer interest in district property; board calls it exploratory

The Mt Vernon Community School Corp CFO presented a request-for-expressions-of-interest (RFI) on Tuesday to solicit developer interest in potential future use of district-owned property, stressing the effort is exploratory and intended to be transparent.

Greg Elkins told the board the effort is not tied to any planned project: "This is not about anything that's specific ... This is speculative in nature," he said, and described the RFI as an early, open invitation to developers to begin conversations. He said the district will follow required procedures, including appraisals and open processes, if negotiations ever move beyond initial interest.

Elkins described the geographic scope in general terms as a swath "south of the interstate, and then, north of the railroad tracks," and said high local land values make the process more complex. He said the district would work with community partners such as the Home Builders Association and local housing contacts to publicize the request but emphasized no contracts or commitments would be signed as a result of the initial outreach.

Board members expressed support and said similar partnerships have been successful elsewhere, citing Oak Trace and Westfield Schools as examples where residential development and schools were co-located. Elkins said this is an opportunity to explore partnerships for capital assets and to keep any future process "above board." No action or commitment was authorized beyond approval to share the RFI as described.