School board approves purchase of nearby property for $250,000 to support technology center expansion

The Papillion La Vista Community Schools Board of Education on April 22 voted unanimously to approve a purchase-and-sale agreement for a nearby townhome property appraised at $250,000.

Brett Richards presented the item, saying the property is located behind the district central office near West Sherman Street and "the property did appraise it $250,000, and he was willing to take that as the appraisal price." Richards said the district would use funds from the special building fund and expects the property will serve future needs for the technology center (server area, storage, loading dock), professional development space and tech office space.

Richards described the property as a single-story site with two rental units and said the district would honor existing leases while tenants remain. Board discussion touched on whether the district would continue to lease the units while future plans (a multi-year horizon tied to a potential future bond) are developed; Richards said the district could operate as a landlord in the interim.

Mister Madler moved to approve the purchase as presented; the motion was seconded and carried on a unanimous roll-call vote. The clerk recorded "Yes" votes from Miss Butler, Mister Madler, Mister Lotus, Miss Wood, Mister Bailey and Miss Witt.

Board members described the purchase as an opportunity to secure adjacent property while the district is landlocked around central office and indicated planning for eventual integration with the technology center would occur in later capital planning.