Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Surplus Property topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Franklin‑McKinley board establishes 7‑11 committee to guide reuse of three closed schools
Summary
The board voted 4–1 (one abstention) to approve resolution 2025‑40 forming a 7‑11 citizen advisory committee to study long‑term uses of three recently closed sites and recommend leases, sales or other dispositions; staff set an application deadline of July 21, 2025 and targeted recommendations by September 9, 2025.
The Franklin‑McKinley School District Board of Education voted to establish a 7‑11 citizen advisory committee to evaluate the future use of three district properties recently closed at the end of the school year.
Lou Anne Castillo Tran, the districts director of maintenance and auxiliary services, told the board the committee is required under California Education Code sections 17387–17391 and "includes no fewer than seven and no more than 11 members" to review surplus property and make recommendations on potential sale, lease or other disposition. She identified the three sites under review as Bramblewood, Los Arboles (listed in materials as Los Arpolis) and McKinley.
Board members pressed staff on outreach and membership composition. Board Member Hong, joining remotely, asked how the district would ensure the committee "reflects the diversity of our communities, including the families most impacted by the school closures." Castillo Tran responded that the district will use an application process, community outreach through neighborhood associations and district communications, and said a sample application is included in the board packet.
Board Member Steven Sanchez moved the resolution, adding a July 21 application deadline; the board seconded and adopted the resolution by roll call vote (4 yes, Board Member Mark Cooper abstained). Sanchez said the boards appointment power will let trustees ensure neighborhood representation among appointees.
The board discussed limits on district authority: staff emphasized that leases (including terms that could allow the district to take back sites if enrollment changed) are being prioritized now over outright sales; selling would require a separate board decision. Staff proposed the committee would hold public meetings, review data, and return recommendations to the board; the district suggested targeted outreach and multiple public hearing opportunities so the broader public can participate.
Next steps: staff will post the application and recruit members with a July 21, 2025 deadline (board direction), and staff suggested targeting the board meeting of September 9, 2025, to present committee recommendations. The board asked for a formal timeline to return at its June meeting and emphasized flexible deadlines if certain neighborhood representation is not achieved.
