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Inglewood committee clears equity analysis for five closed school sites and maps outreach, reuse options
Summary
The Inglewood Unified School District Asset Management Committee reviewed an equity impact analysis that supports closure of five school sites, discussed redevelopment and leasing options, heard that recent bond-rating upgrades should lower borrowing costs, and asked staff to return with a community outreach plan and a resolution to declare the adult-education site surplus.
The Inglewood Unified School District Asset Management Committee on Feb. 6 reviewed a district equity impact analysis that underpins the closure of five school sites and discussed potential future uses, outreach plans and fiscal implications.
Chair Cheryl Matthews opened the meeting and introduced County Administrator Dr. James Morris, who said recent bond sales produced an upgrade in the district’s ratings, moving the district from the B category into the A range and earning a Fitch A+ on the most recent sale. “We went out for this last tranche of bonds ... We got out of the B category into the A category,” Dr. Morris said, adding the upgrades should reduce interest costs for taxpayers.
Jordan Miles, the district’s executive officer for facilities and construction, presented the equity impact analysis prepared by DCG Strategies and outlined five sites proposed for closure or reclassification: Highland, Hudnall, Kelso, a portion of the Morningside High School property and the former Adult Education building. Miles described site sizes, ages and zoning constraints and said the Adult Education building would require roughly $7,000,000 in repairs to meet code for reuse. “We wanted to bring that parcel into discussion,” Miles said, noting the district is weighing options including sale, long-term lease or mixed-use redevelopment.
Committee members pressed for clarity on how proceeds would be used. A staff member explained that proceeds from a sale of surplus property typically flow into a restricted facilities fund and must be used for district facilities, while lease revenue is generally more flexible and can be directed by the county administrator and board. “If property is deemed surplus and sold, it goes into what we call a facilities fund; that’s a restricted fund,” the staff member said.
Members and staff emphasized the need to avoid considering properties in isolation and urged more robust community engagement. Suggestions included multiple outreach formats (charrettes, station-style displays, PTA and senior-center meetings), improved translations for Spanish materials, student involvement through the student leadership council and illustrated infographics to show how sale or lease options would affect district finances. Dr. Morris said staff and Mr. Rafael Guzman will return with a proposed community engagement plan and that the committee will bring a final resolution declaring the Adult Education property surplus at the next meeting.
Several committee members also suggested programmatic reuses that might generate revenue or efficiencies, including specialized campuses for special education, urban incubators or mixed-use development tied to nearby commercial destinations. Committee members repeatedly cautioned that rezoning and city approval would be required for some uses.
The committee opened a public-comment period but the clerk reported there were no cards submitted. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn; the minutes and adjournment motions passed by roll call.
The committee assigned staff to draft a community outreach plan and to return with the final surplus resolution for the Adult Education building at the next meeting; no final decisions on sales, leases or rezoning were voted on at this session.
