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Board creates surplus‑property advisory committee; public raises alarm about cell‑tower leases
Summary
The board approved forming a 7‑to‑11‑member advisory committee to review underused district properties and recommend lease, sale or repurposing options; public commenters warned against telecom leases, citing safety and long‑term loss of district control.
Trustees voted to establish a 7‑to‑11‑member advisory committee (Education Code cited) to evaluate district properties for potential surplus status, reuse, lease or sale and to ensure community input before any final decisions.
CBO Herardo Castillo said the committee will review two initial parcels and can study other properties districtwide; the committee will follow the Brown Act and bring formal recommendations to the board. Castillo described the process as a way to reduce maintenance liabilities and identify revenue or community uses for unused land.
Public concerns: At least one public speaker strongly criticized the move and asked district leaders to pause proposals that could pave the way for telecom leases or cell‑tower equipment near schools. "Schools should not be providing for telecom corporations to cause harm and increase their profits," a commenter said, urging stronger guardrails and public disclosure about potential leases and risks.
Trustees discussed guardrails and community representation; several said they preferred the committee to include technical experts (land‑use planners, CPAs) and community representatives, and one trustee asked that major recommendations come back after the November board turnover so newly elected trustees could weigh in.
What’s next: Staff will form the committee, solicit appointments to meet the statutory composition, hold public hearings, and return formal recommendations to the board for any proposed surplus designation or transaction.
