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Neighbors and community member press board over Salquist Road sale and process
Summary
A community presentation and public comments pressed the Gresham-Barlow School Board to pause or cancel the Salquist Road property sale, alleging the district did not follow surplus and public-notice practices; board counsel cited ORS 332.155 saying the district may sell property not required for school purposes.
A community presentation centered on the proposed sale of the Salquist Road parcel and whether the district followed required surplus and notice procedures.
Thomas (Tom) Eubanks presented a timeline of emails and meetings, saying the district did not appraise the parcel, did not post it publicly, and that neighborhood pre-application materials shifted from 80 single-family homes to a proposal of 149 townhomes. Eubanks urged the board to "hold the district accountable" and asked that the sale be canceled or formally posted for public review. Several public commenters also asked the board to pause any sale and to follow district policy and statute.
Board Chair Kris Howatt acknowledged the volume of material and said the interpretation of Policy DN is a core issue, noting the policy "does support the sale of real estate" but also that policy language needs clarifying. Board legal counsel Elliot Field cited ORS 332.155, saying "the district may sell property not required for school purposes," and explained the district's judgment that historical reports—dating to 2021 and 2023—concluded the parcel was not needed for school purposes. Counsel also distinguished the state rules cited in public comment as pertaining to state-owned property rather than this district parcel.
Board members and counsel discussed the difference between surplus as an administrative process and the board's role in governance. Eubanks told the board he wants the sale canceled and the process redone with transparent community notice; board members expressed concern about litigation exposure and potential costs (mentioned in public comments as a potential $14 million liability), which they said could reduce funds available for students. Chair Howatt said the policy review committee will consider clarifying the policy and the board will coordinate with the superintendent on next steps.
This item was presented during the policy review portion of the meeting; no formal motion to surplus or to rescind a sale was brought or voted on during the May 7 meeting.
