Board weighs private partnerships and community reuse for vacant school sites and athletic complexes

Hacienda la Puente Unified trustees debated how to manage vacant campus properties and a proposal to let private partners invest in and operate athletic facilities at the Wedgeworth Baseball Complex.

Trustees described two common models: a private partner builds or upgrades facilities on district land and pays the district a lease or revenue share (with a non‑exclusive arrangement that preserves district access), or the district manages a public reuse program such as community gardens, recreation spaces or school‑led programs. Trustees and staff cited nearby examples where partners funded field upgrades and provided revenue back to the district.

Several board members urged staff to bring prospective partners (identified in public comment) to the board for a formal presentation and to return a clear comparison of options, with sample lease terms, required capital investment, revenue sharing, non‑exclusivity clauses, community access guarantees and maintenance responsibilities. Community members asked the board to adopt policies that would preserve former school parcels for public and educational uses and to avoid short‑term decisions that could preclude beneficial public uses.

Staff said some proposals would require long lead times and capital commitments, and that legal, procurement and ongoing operating considerations must be evaluated. The board directed staff to return with more detailed proposals, comparative term sheets, and community engagement plans before any decision about leases or long‑term agreements.

What’s next: Staff will arrange presentations from interested partners, provide sample term sheets and outline steps for community input and procurement. The board signaled it wants options that protect district access and community use while offsetting maintenance costs for vacant properties.