The school district owns the building at 211 Lee St. that the nonprofit has used for 10 years to provide classes and activities in Hispanic culture, heritage and art.
SMCISD trustee Kathy Hansen voted against the donation, and trustee Margie Villalpando—who stated that she is a founding member of Centro— abstained from the vote.
Centro Cultural de Hispano currently rents the 12,795-square-foot building—formerly called the Mexican School during segregation—from SMCISD for $6,650 a year.
More than 100 members of the public showed up for the public comment period, where speakers gave testimony both for and against the donation, as did members of the board.
Bernie Sandoval, executive director of operations for SMCISD, said the two parcels being donated were appraised at a $600,000 valuation.
Part of the donation resolution creates stipulations for what the nonprofit can do with the property. Part of that is a “reversion clause providing that in the event Centro discontinues use of the real property and improvements for public purposes or executes a document that purports to convey the property, the property shall automatically revert to San Marcos Consolidated ISD and shall also provide that Centro shall pay all costs associated with the donation,” according to the resolution text.
