Overall, the Long Range Planning Facility committee agreed Jefferson City High School needs more land, but the school district needs to meet with property owners in the area surrounding the nine lots being considered for purchasing.
The committee met Tuesday night to discuss the possibility of the district purchasing the lots north of the high school on Marshall Street, bordering Roland Street, for $206,500. They also circled back about districtwide facility needs and what the next bond issue should include.
The school board announced the opportunity to buy the properties at the Sept. 19 board meeting after talking about it in closed session.
Landowners first approached the board last November or December with a $250,000 purchase price for the nine lots offered by two owners. At the time, Superintendent Larry Linthacum was new to the district and opted to table the purchase. In July, the lots were offered again for a reduced price and the board decided to take it up for more serious discussion, Linthacum said.
Even though the board has been discussing the land purchase for a couple months, they haven't committed to a specific use for the property, drawing objections from members Michael Couty and Pam Murray in an August vote allowing Linthacum to negotiate a price. Murray voted against moving forward, and Couty abstained.
Linthacum told the committee the space would most likely be used as an alternative setting for students with disciplinary issues. When talking to building administrators at the high school, Jefferson City Academic Center and the Simonsen Ninth Grade Center, Linthacum said the response was an overwhelming need for another alternative setting for students.
He said the alternative space could be used for students on long-term suspension, but the exact details haven't been ironed out. Thoughts of using the property to house the district's adult education program or a parking lot have also been discussed. JCPS is currently renting a space in Jefferson City for $1,000 a month to host the adult education program.
There's currently a house on one of the lots that could be used temporarily for the adult program or the alternative school.
The fact district officials have not yet met with homeowners bordering the land for sale drew one of the biggest objections. A handful of homes are next to the nine lots, and if the district moves forward with the contract, then it will change the dynamic of the neighborhood, committee member Jackie Coleman said.
"This is one of the oldest African-American neighborhoods. Have you polled the people in the neighborhood?" Coleman said. "If you haven't done that then you haven't engaged the community and the taxpayers. That's a community where I used to live. The district is taking taxpayers' money (and hasn't talked to homeowners); how does that engage partnerships? I would be disappointed if you didn't canvas the neighborhood."
Coleman said she wasn't against the district purchasing the property but was concerned about how it would affect the people who opt to stay in their homes. Their property values could decrease, and traffic could swell on that street. If more homeowners decide to sell as a result of the district buying the property, then more of the neighborhood disappears, she said.
Since the district isn't certain on how it will use that property, it could also create more fear and doubt from homeowners, Coleman said.
Linthacum said he would go door-to-door and talk to the neighbors to explain the district's plan.
"I think what Jackie said is probably a good recipe to be a good neighbor," committee member Brad Bates said. "You want to let people know what you're thinking about and how you're making changes. I think anytime there's land available when you're in a land-locked area, it's prudent to look at opportunities."
They also agreed the opportunity to purchase land near the high school is rare, and the 609 Union St. campus is in desperate need of more space.
Conversations dovetailed to the committee's bond issue recommendation from two years ago. In 2014, they recommended the board build a second high school, add an elementary school on the east side, complete major renovations on the current high school, make additions to Callaway Hills Elementary School and re-draw the boundary lines.
The committee voted and agreed to maintain the same recommendation, knowing the plans could be fluid. Much discussion surrounded where the elementary school should be built or if there should eventually be two constructed - one on the east side and one on the west.
Board and committee member Lorelei Schwartz said the idea to build another elementary school on the east side stemmed partially from the need to make East Elementary School smaller with class sizes to match - it would better suit students in the district who need more resources.
But it was also mentioned district growth is occurring on the west side of town and can't be ignored.
School Board President John Ruth said schools are bursting at the seams throughout the district and action needs to be taken soon.
"One thing I ask this group is to own that ballot box," he said. "It's time to put the kids first. We've got so many great community endeavors, and there will always be something we need. It's time to agree that kids and schools need to be part of the community discussion in the upcoming ballots.
"I don't think we need to apologize for having needs. I don't think any of us should fear not getting the vote. As we leave here tonight, know that even if it fails, we were still willing to try and tell the community to try and address this."
The meeting closed without much discussion on when another bond issue should run.
The school board will discuss the land for sale at its Oct. 10 board meeting and will vote in open session. The board has contracts with the two owners - pending board approval - that expire Oct. 11.