Central Kitsap School District (CKSD) officials outlined steps to surplus its Seabeck Elementary School property at a board meeting Wednesday, reviewing material discussed during a June study session and proposing a tentative timeline for the process.
Seabeck Elementary closed at the end of the 2006-07 school year, going unoccupied since, and has been the topic of surplus talks for the past several months.
Neighbors for a Greater Seabeck Community Center, a group formed after the school’s closure, is seeking a location to build a community center and continues to express interest in the vacant 15-acre property.
Before the community group can obtain the land, however, the property owners — CKSD — must put it on the market.
“The decision we make needs to be revenue positive,” CKSD Superintendent Greg Lynch said.
A PowerPoint presentation by CKSD Executive Director of Business and Operations David McVicker clarified what must happen for the district to surplus and, eventually, sell the land.
While the final decision must be revenue positive, the district also wants to explore every option before a sale, consider facility needs throughout the district, minimize impact to the general fund, maximize revenue to the capital projects fund and remain good stewards of district resources, according to the PowerPoint.
“There are lots of pieces ahead of us,” McVicker said.
Before the district can surplus the property, however, the board must pass a formal resolution, McVicker said.
And according to his timeline, that won’t happen until an Oct. 8 board meeting at the earliest. A study session is scheduled for September to review the pros and cons of a surplus and to discuss different methods of sale.
Between now and then, the district will begin the bidding process, use a real estate agent and negotiate with other government entities, possibly using a combination of all three, according to the timeline.
Members of the Seabeck community group, including group organizer Loanna Day, attended Wednesday’s meeting and expressed satisfaction with the district’s handling of the process.
“The communication has been awesome,” Day said, complimenting McVicker’s availability and openness during the process. “He’s said, ‘This is the process, this is what’s going on.’”
Day said Wednesday’s talks were “pretty standard,” and the group will continue to meet on the side while the district explores its options.
The Port of Bremerton has expressed support for a Seabeck community center, as has Central Kitsap Commissioner Josh Brown, Day said.
“They’ve rolled up their sleeves and become involved,” Day said of the Port.
Board member Chris Stokke said the board wants to receive input from the public, and the public needs to be informed on issues like the Seabeck surplus process.
More information about Neighbors for a Greater Seabeck Community Center can be found online at http://www.seabeckneighbors.com/index.php?pageId=405832.
Another CKSD board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 27, although the Seabeck school won’t be discussed until the September study session.
