During the April meeting, the governing board heard updates on the district's plan to repurpose its vacant buildings and on feedback from the February listening sessions.
More than 80 survey responses were collected from the community, including English- and Spanish-speaking residents, parents, educators and community leaders.
Overwhelmingly, the survey responses indicated the goal for the former Davis, Jorgensen, Lassen and Sierra Vista sites, as well as the two undeveloped lots within the district's boundaries, should remain community assets, not profit-driven projects. They emphasized keeping the sites accessible, local and affordable.
The community respondents were clear about their objection to using the facilities for law enforcement training, converting them to luxury housing, warehouses, or data centers, and to incompatible commercial uses. Their top priorities were:
Youth and Families
After-school programs
Tutoring and enrichment
Childcare and early education
Safe spaces to gather and grow
Economic Opportunity
Job training and career pathways
GED and continuing education
Small business support
Trade and tech skills
Health and Wellness
Youth sports and fitness programs
Family wellness activities
Green space access
Services for special needs
The community recommended these sites, and lots become multi-use community hubs, designed around the area's youth with comprehensive workforce integration and bilingual services, driven and maintained by community-led governance.
Their expectation is that the process will be transparent, and they will have real decision-making power when the time comes to move forward with any projects.
In the spirit of ongoing engagement, an additional listening session will be convened on May 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Verna McClain Wellness Center.