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Board supports statue placement in Stearns Park but notes county lease grants final authority
Summary
Board members expressed support for placing police and fire statues in Stearns Park and suggested preferred corners for placement, but said the park land is leased to the county and the county must make the final decision.
During new business a board member raised a community request to place statues honoring police and fire personnel in Stearns Park. Discussion revealed a county lease — originating in about 1990 and referenced in a 2008 letter to a county attorney — that appears to give the county authority over the park.
Board members said they had no objection to the statues and offered placement suggestions (two corner locations) and requested an appropriate plaque. The board emphasized it could only provide an advisory opinion because the county holds the lease: "Apparently there's a lease in place in favor of the county from Polk County Board of Education... and so it ain't our call. It's the county's call," a board member said.
The board agreed to notify the requestor that the school board does not object to the installations but that the county must be consulted for final approval. No formal vote or change in district property was recorded; staff were directed to advise the requestor and, if desired, suggest placement options.
