Pullman board approves advertising surplus space at Pioneer Center for lease

The Pullman Public Schools board of directors on June 25 voted to approve a resolution to advertise surplus office/classroom space at the Pioneer Center for lease, starting the 45-day public notice required before the district accepts proposals.

Justin Polstead, who presented the item to the board, told trustees the district would place notice in the paper for 45 days and begin accepting expressions of interest. "This gotta be in the paper for 45 days," Polstead said, explaining the advertising step is the board's authorization to begin the surplus-lease process.

Nut graf: By approving the advertising and moving the resolution to an action item, the board enabled a formal public period for responses from prospective tenants; the superintendent noted Montessori School of Pullman has expressed interest in the Pioneer Center space and the 45-day period would put a potential award decision near the start of the academic year.

The motion to move Resolution 24-25-11 (Lease of Surplus Real Property — Pioneer Center) to an action item passed, and the board then approved the resolution at the same meeting. Board members clarified that the June 25 action authorizes advertising only; any lease agreement would come back to the board for final approval after the district reviews proposals and conducts any necessary negotiations.

The resolution sets the formal public-notice clock in motion. Superintendent Bob Maxwell told the board that if the district can secure title and complete required steps for other properties, it will begin the competitive process for lease proposals and then return with a recommendation.

Next steps: The district will publish the surplus property notice for 45 days, accept proposals and present any recommended lease award to the board for approval at a later meeting.