MOORPARK : Board Rejects City’s Offer for School Site

The Moorpark Board of Education turned down the city’s offer to purchase part of a former high school site Tuesday, saying the school district is not interested in parceling off the Casey Road property.

In addition, the board told the city that its park and recreation program could no longer use school district facilities.

“This is not a kind offer,” Moorpark City Councilman Clint Harper said. “You are trying to force the City Council to purchase the entire site . . . it’s all or nothing.”

But school board member Tom Baldwin said the district wants the city to reconsider its position about the site.

“For the last two years, the board has worn the white hat in negotiations and you guys have worn the black. Today, we are willing to put the black hat on.”

In August, the city offered to purchase the gymnasium and outdoor courts for $570,000.

The city also wants to purchase 10.6 acres of the lower fields, which it hopes to use for a downtown park.

The property is now used as a continuation high school, and has been at the crux of a legal battle between the district and city for more than two years.

The conflict centers on development of the property.

The district wants high-density development approved for the property, while the city contends that the downtown area cannot handle the traffic.

City Manager Steve Kueny said the only recreational programs that would be affected by the district’s decision are those that use the gymnasium and the tennis courts, as well as dog obedience classes.

“The theme of the negotiation is that we approve a reasonable land use for the site or buy the entire site. . . . Unfortunately, the city’s definition of reasonable is different than the district’s,” Kueny said.