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Trustees debate sale, rental or holding pattern for Washington school building
Summary
The board reviewed inquiries and a non‑binding interest in the Washington school building and discussed appraisal/sale requirements, zoning limits and maintenance. Some trustees urged a sale to avoid deterioration and raise funds; others preferred rental or a pause to preserve community options. Administration will prepare a focused agenda item with options and legal constraints for a future meeting.
Trustees revisited the district’s Washington school building after administration reported several inquiries and a non‑binding expression of interest from a developer.
Administration explained the legal sale process requires a certified appraisal and a sealed‑bid or public auction procedure, and said zoning limits the property to educational or residential uses. An appraisal is valid for one year; administration also has records of prior structural and mechanical inspections and is maintaining minimum site care and security to prevent further deterioration.
Trustees debated options. Some expressed sympathy for neighborhood concerns about an empty building and urged a timely sale to prevent it becoming an eyesore or a safety hazard; others recommended exploring renting or interim community uses (a community center or nonprofit tenancy) that would keep people in the building without heavy district capital investment. Trustees also asked administration to check whether the prior inspection materials could be leveraged and whether any contract language could require an owner to complete redevelopment within a timeframe.
No final direction was given; the board asked administration to return a paper outlining options, timing, projected maintenance costs, the appraisal process and potential stipulations the district could legally include in a sale or lease.
