Board approves MCPS properties plan to guide long‑term use of 14 district sites

The Missoula County Public Schools board voted to adopt a district properties plan that sets a management framework for 14 MCPS‑owned sites, the board confirmed after a presentation by consultant Kate Dinsmore of WGM Group.

"The plan describes what you have, if it's needed, and what to do with it," Dinsmore told trustees as she summarized the three recommendation buckets: keep, explore (sale or trade), and sale or long‑term lease. Properties listed in the 'keep' category included Cold Springs, Dickinson, Fort Missoula, Jefferson, Mountain Jumbo, Rattlesnake, Tool Park and Cely Swan; the administration building, Prescott, Brownl Road and Whittier were noted as candidates for sale or long‑term lease, and Duncan Drive and Linda Vista were placed in an 'explore' category.

Dinsmore emphasized that approval would establish direction for each property and authorize staff to begin implementation tasks, but would not authorize any sale, lease or development agreement without subsequent board actions. She explained the plan assumes retained properties will be managed to avoid future deferred maintenance and that an investment fund was proposed as a tool to support maintenance and future acquisitions.

Trustees raised questions about deferred maintenance and specific sites. Trustee Jano asked whether a deteriorated modular portion of Cold Springs would be preserved; the consultant and staff said that the compromised modular section would be demolished and that other assets (for example, a newer gym) remain in good condition and provide lease income to offset costs. Trustee McShane asked whether the board could deviate from the plan if a compelling offer arose; staff said the plan is a framework and the board retains discretion on future decisions.

A neighbor, Janet Jacobson Glassie, urged trustees to delay any sale of the Prescott School building to allow neighborhood efforts to finalize an alternate reuse plan. "We just need some time to bring [a neighborhood plan] to fruition," Glassie said.

After discussion, Trusty Jano moved to approve the strategic framework and recommendations as presented and to authorize administration to develop specific action items for individual properties; the motion, seconded by Trusty Wit, passed unanimously to trustees present. Board members and staff said substantial future actions (RFPs, listings, acceptance of offers) would return to the board for approval.

The vote does not itself sell or lease any property; it authorizes the district to proceed with implementation steps and to bring discrete proposals back to the board for approval.