Board Continues Discussions on Affordable Housing Options

Superintendent Dr. Celine Wicks and Director of Finance and Operations Stephanie Juneau led a continued discussion about the district’s planned 22-unit housing project. A key decision discussed during Monday's meeting was whether to keep all the units as rentals, sell some as deed-restricted homes, or pursue a combination of both. Legal guidance clarified that under the Fair Housing Act, the district cannot require owners of deed-restricted homes to sell within a certain timeframe. However, contracts can include a “right of first refusal” for district employees when a home is resold.

Board members raised thoughtful questions around several key themes. Financing was a major focus, with requests for detailed modeling of scenarios, including Certificates of Participation and potential property sales. Members also emphasized the need to better understand staff preferences, calling for a new survey to measure interest in renting versus buying. Several questions centered on design and accessibility, such as the mix of unit sizes, parking availability, wheelchair access, and community spaces. Finally, the Board discussed oversight and process, recommending the creation of a new committee and considering the addition of an owner’s representative to help guide complex decisions.

Next Steps: The district will confirm the STR grant timeline with Brad Calvert, distribute a new staff survey on rental versus ownership preferences, convene a committee (with the potential addition of an owner’s representative), and continue Stephanie’s work on financial feasibility options and construction cost timelines. Board members emphasized that this project is an important step toward addressing staff housing needs, though it will not solve the broader community housing crisis.