Board discusses sale of 4871 Bald Eagle Ave; action tabled so attorney can review proposed guardrails

The school board received a recommendation to declare the district-owned property at 4871 Bald Eagle Avenue surplus and to authorize administration to list and sell the home. The district acquired the property in February 2020 following the bond referendum; administration said proceeds would first be applied to bond debt service with any net proceeds directed to construction projects or property acquisition.

District staff (presenter Tim Wald) said the resolution, drafted by bond attorney Peter Martin of Kennedy & Graven, would authorize administration to work with real estate professionals, list the property and allow the board chair and clerk to sign purchase agreements. Members clarified the district purchased the property rather than acquiring it by eminent domain.

Board members raised several concerns: Member Skaar asked whether the full board would approve final purchase agreements and recommended the resolution be revised to require full-board approval rather than delegating signature authority to the chair and clerk. Another proposal would prohibit selling the property at a loss—defined as selling below the original purchase price plus improvements. Administration and counsel said the resolution as written delegates certain authorities; the board discussed the speed and market-risk tradeoffs of requiring full-board sign-off.

Members proposed amendments. A motion to require full-board approval of a sale failed. A separate amendment to prohibit sale at a loss (purchase price plus improvements) was proposed and seconded; because the board wanted legal review of the precise language, members agreed to pull the amendment, remove the motion and table the resolution to the June 18 meeting so the bond attorney could review language and placement in the resolution.

No sale was authorized at the meeting; the item was tabled pending attorney review and will return to the board June 18.