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School district proposes repurposing Mary Blair site into family center and specialized student services hub
Summary
District staff proposed converting the Mary Blair facility into a family and community engagement center and a hub for specialized student services (expulsion program, Sierra School relocation, day treatment and community programs) to reduce out-of-district placements and consolidate leased services.
Thompson School District presented a reuse plan for the Mary Blair building intended to centralize family engagement, specialty student services and district-run community programming.
Todd (district leader introducing the project) described the history: the building was previously leased to the YMCA, but the contract was terminated amid financial distress; selling the property was evaluated but staff concluded the site’s location, limited parking and adjacency to PBA made private redevelopment unattractive. Instead the district proposed a multi-use campus with a family center, specialized programs for highly impacted students, a maker/art space, bike/skate repair and a multi-use gym for community events.
Patty and Ryan (student-support staff) said the hub would host a stronger food pantry, clothing closet, a highly mobile team supporting McKinney-Vento and foster students, and post-secondary navigation for older youth. The team projected cost savings by moving programs currently leased elsewhere into district space and reducing expensive out-of-district special-education placements and transportation.
Board members queried ADA/parking upgrades and the need for modest facility work; staff said bond funds would be used for site improvements, including concrete, curb work and ramps. Staff estimated staged implementation: family services this summer, expulsion program and Sierra services phased in for the fall and the following year, with full community-connection transitions later.
The presentation emphasized partnerships with community organizations (Souls for Souls, Sunrise Health Clinic, boxing and other youth programs) and noted the plan would be designed to be cost-neutral or generate savings over time while keeping students in-district for services.
The board asked staff to continue planning and signaled support for staged implementation and further cost detail.
