Rio Rancho approves sale of surplus Vista Grande Elementary land to developer to fund site improvements

The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education voted June 23 to approve a proposed sale of surplus district land adjacent to Vista Grande Elementary School and to delegate closing authority to district staff.

Chief legal counsel Lauren Hatch and Executive Director of Facilities Patrick Martinez presented the proposal. Martinez described the parcel as roughly 6.66 to 6.8 acres on the school's northern boundary and said Westway Homes, a local homebuilder, plans residential development. The parcel was appraised at $2.76 per square foot; that rate implies a sale price of roughly $800,000 based on the district's current acreage estimate, Martinez said. "This is surplus property. It's not needed for anything that the district's doing," Hatch told the board.

Before closing, the district must complete a replat and seek approval from the New Mexico State Board of Finance, steps Hatch identified as required under state rules for disposition of school district property. Martinez said proceeds would be used to improve site circulation at Vista Grande, including an additional parent drop-off on the west side and a bus loop to reduce dense pickup and drop-off congestion.

Vote and process: Board member Jeff Morgan moved to approve the real-estate transaction and delegate authority to close; Gary Tripp seconded. The motion passed. Staff said the exact acreage and final sale price will be confirmed after replatting and the State Board of Finance approval process.

Why it matters: Board members and staff described Vista Grande as a high-enrollment elementary with congested arrival and dismissal circulation; the proposed sale is intended to generate funds to improve safety and traffic flow on the school site.