Board discusses options for Willow River Elementary; summer programs to continue while staff collects listing data

The board discussed Willow River Elementary's disposition and agreed administrators should gather listing information and pricing options while summer school‑age care and summer programming continue in the building through August.

District staff and the real‑estate representative said Willow is a more complex sale prospect than Holton because of building configuration, zoning and likely entitlement challenges; the city and county reported no present interest in acquiring the site. Board members expressed a preference for encouraging community‑based reuse but noted the district cannot underwrite long fundraising timelines and that unused buildings deteriorate over time. The board asked staff to evaluate listing strategies (package vs separate sale of an adjacent cinder lot), zoning implications, and to return with options for the board’s consideration. Staff noted showings would be scheduled outside of programming hours and that full vacancy and significant moves would likely occur after summer programs end in August.