Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Salida School District, Chaffee County outline deal for potential 10‑acre Poncha Springs school site
Summary
The board and Salida School District discussed and approved a memorandum of understanding that would allow the district to acquire roughly 10 acres at county fairgrounds in Poncha Springs at $75,000 per acre (CPI adjustments apply), subject to deed restrictions, demonstrated need, funding verification and construction timelines; commissioners and district leaders discussed options to adjust timelines.
Chaffee County commissioners on June 16 approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would allow the Salida School District to acquire about 10 acres of county fairgrounds land in Poncha Springs for a future school site, at a proposed price of $75,000 per acre.
Staff framed the MOU as a two‑phase agreement that requires the district to demonstrate enrollment need, verify funding availability, and provide a site plan before conveyance. The MOU includes deed restrictions limiting the parcel to public‑school use and contains a repurchase option for the county if construction does not commence or conclude within the timeline. The presented schedule would require the district to commence construction within five years of conveyance and complete construction within five years thereafter; the maximum timeline discussed extended to 2046 under certain timing assumptions.
Dr. David Blackburn, Salida School District superintendent, said his board would bring the item back for local action and advocated for flexibility in timing and clear language to guide future elected officials. Director Karen Lundberg of the district said she and Blackburn would "champion this" and preview the agreement for the school board. Commissioners and district leaders also discussed whether the termination/repurchase date should be adjusted (a district representative requested a 2041 date/15‑year term as an option) and the practical implications for bond financing and project activation.
Commissioners voted to approve the MOU as presented so the school district can take the MOU to its board; district representatives said they intend to champion the item with their board and return for final steps when ready.
