Trustees Urged to Sell School, Other Sites

The profits from selling some farmland, a conference center and a former elementary school would put much-needed cash into school district coffers, according to a district business official.

Dave Kanthak, assistant superintendent of business services, has recommended to Simi Valley Unified School District trustees that they consider selling:

* About 35 acres at Tapo and Alamo streets, land now leased to a strawberry and tomato farmer.

* About five acres off Country Club Drive, the site of the Wood Ranch Conference Center. Kanthak said it costs the district up to $100,000 yearly to maintain the tree-lined, mountaintop facility.

* Arroyo elementary school and its nine acres, now leased to a variety of day-care programs, church groups and other organizations.

Kanthak recommended selling Arroyo rather than another former school because construction of the new Wood Ranch elementary in 1998 and the large enrollment capacity of Madera School will provide ample space for residential housing growth in the area.

The cost to renovate Arroyo would be much more expensive than repairing Walnut Grove and Arcane elementary schools, which Kanthak said “are in relatively good shape.”

Also, Kanthak said the board should think about selling part of the educational service center at the district offices on East Cochran Street and 40 acres of Long Canyon equestrian land.

Other potential properties the district could sell include the Walnut Grove and Arcane schools, now leased to Grace Brethren Church and School, and Belwood School, a former elementary campus now leased to day-care programs and other groups.

The report made available to the public did not break down the appraised cost of each property.

The school board must determine a minimum sale price for each by a two-thirds vote.

Kanthak also suggested trustees set up a meeting soon so the district can set priorities.