Cypress School Board accepts 7-11 committee report on surplus properties

The following is pulled from board highlights sent out by the Cypress School District. Not included in the highlights were remarks by School Board President Donna Erickson noting that members of the School Board would meet with members of the Cypress City Council.

The request from School Board President Erickson for a meeting was raised at the Jan. 9 Cypress City Council meeting. After some discussion that included a recommendation from City Attorney William Wynder to restrict subject matter and insist on confidentiality due to an active lawsuit brought by the District, the Council voted to go ahead with the meeting.

The Board adopted Resolution 112-09 accepting the report and recommendation from the “7-11” Committee for surplus properties. Consultant Barry Blade reviewed the recommendation of the committee for use of the surplus property:

Mackay Property. First priority lease; second priority exchange; third priority sale
Dickerson Property. First priority lease; second priority exchange; third priority sale
District Office Property. First priority exchange; second priority lease; third priority sale
Cawthon Property. First priority sale; second priority exchange; third priority lease
Damron Property. First priority retain current use; no other priorities established

The Board then adopted Resolution 112-10 declaring certain property surplus, authorizing the offer of certain District property for sale to public entities, and authorizing public sale of certain property. This resolution gives the District authority to act on the Cawthon property now, with authority to move on the additional properties by separate Board action in the future. It does not commit the District to any specific action, but starts the clock on the Naylor Act requirements, as specified by law. The property will be offered first to specified public entities on a specific timeline described in Education Code. The District will continue to discuss options with the City of Cypress.

Resolution 112-11 was also presented to the Board, authorizing distribution of Request for Proposals regarding the exchange of District property, declaring intention to consider proposals for exchange of District property, and authorizing negotiation of terms of exchange. This resolution gives the District authority to send Request for Proposals to private parties potentially interested in the Dickerson property. Staff from the City of Buena Park spoke to the Board and requested, on behalf of the Mayor, a 90 day extension before the Board moved forward. The Board adopted the resolution and approved a 90 day extension before moving forward with the distribution of Request for Proposals. Dickerson was originally to be used as interim housing during modernization, which will now be done at another surplus site in the District.

Featured photo

Cypress School District headquarters on Moody Street. File photo by C.E.H. Wiedel.

Public reacts to possible sale of surplus Cypress Elementary School properties (oc-breeze.com)
Cypress residents take anger, surprise over planned re-purposing of school properties to 7-11 committee (oc-breeze.com)
Cypress residents express anger over proposed sale of school property (oc-breeze.com)
Cypress School Board to seek judicial hearing on Measure D (oc-breeze.com)
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