Board tables Vertical Bridge lease amendment for middle-school repeater pending legal review

Superintendent Dr. Segura briefed the board that Vertical Bridge — the current manager of the middle-school repeater site — requested a lease amendment and presented three financial options: a $1,800 monthly rent with a 10% escalation every five years; $1,900 monthly with an 8% escalation; or a lump-sum $46,800 for the first two years followed by nominal monthly rent with a 4% escalation starting in 2028.

Dr. Segura told the board the district's business office analyzed the proposals and recommended Option 1 as the financially strongest of the three presented. She also asked legal counsel to review the documents once the board provided direction. "If we go if we decide to approve this and move forward with lease amendment option 1, that that would be the strongest, 1 to move forward with," she said.

Board members raised two consistent concerns: first, whether the original Verizon contract allowed transfer of management to Vertical Bridge (some members could not find a recorded board vote approving the transfer); and second, whether the proposed escalation percentages reflect local market norms (several members suggested 3–5% is typical and questioned a proposed 10% increase every five years). One member asked for clearer contract language formally documenting any ownership/management transfer and any required board approval.

The board moved to table the Vertical Bridge item to allow the superintendent and legal counsel to clean up contract language, confirm whether a proper transfer occurred, and negotiate escalation terms. The motion to table passed unanimously.