Colman-Egan School Board approves development plan, sends annexation materials to city

Chair called the Colman‑Egan School District 50‑5 board to order and the board quickly approved the meeting agenda before turning to a proposed school development plan the board will present to the City of Commerce.

Staff member summarized the draft development agreement, saying it grew from discussions among district staff and a city attorney sample from the City of Bryant. “We will run our water to the city water hookup,” the staff member said, and added that the district would take responsibility for improvements while certain hookup and annexation specifics remain listed as TBD in the draft. The staff member also said Doug from Pitts compiled much of the document and that the agreement sometimes accompanies a tax increment financing package, though in this case staff said a TIF was not applicable.

The board heard scheduling details for the next step in the process: staff said the City of Commerce will hold a public hearing on rezoning and annexation on the 2nd at the Clubhouse at 6:00 and that district representatives planned to attend. The Chair noted the city posted notice of the hearing and reminded members that more than three board members may be present without creating a quorum issue so long as notice has been posted.

After discussion, the board approved a motion to forward the development plan to the City of Commerce for its consideration; the transcript records a voice vote but does not provide mover/second names or a numerical tally. The board set its next regular meeting for June 8 and expects to know the outcome of the city’s vote by the 2nd before deciding next steps.