Board directs staff to start upset‑bid process after debate over turning schools back to communities

The board spent significant time on action items 8.1 and 8.2 about the disposition of two vacant properties: Plainview and East Arcadia schools.

Several community speakers and Town of East Arcadia representatives asked the district to transfer or lease East Arcadia to the town for community use; Rhonda Hall, who identified herself as "Mayor Pro Tem for the town of East Acadia," asked the board to either gift or lease the building to the town and noted precedents where closed schools were transferred for nominal sums. Board member (speaker 11) moved to pursue a lease to the Town of East Arcadia "for 9 years and 11 months," saying the town had presented plans and would assume insurance and maintenance responsibilities.

The board clarified the motion's intent was to direct staff to draft and negotiate lease terms rather than finalize a contract. After further discussion about fair market value and earlier promises to return buildings to their communities, the board then voted to initiate the upset‑bid process for disposal — a statutory competitive process — and directed staff to examine all statutory disposal options. The roll call/count recorded during the meeting showed the motion carried by a show of hands (five in favor, four opposed).