The overview
The former Cline Elementary school site, located at 515 Briarmeadow Ave., Friendswood, has nearly 11.4 acres of land, according to FISD agenda documents.
District officials said the former school site is no longer needed for district purposes but has resulted in the district paying to maintain the building.
“We’ve spent over $50,000 in utilities last year on it alone just to keep that facility running, and our maintenance and grounds team is having to maintain that facility as well,” FISD Chief Financial Officer Amber Petree said at the meeting.
The background
In 2020, FISD created a Citizens Advisory Committee, or CAC, who recommended a $127 million bond proposal that passed in November 2020, according to the district’s website.
Before recommending the bond proposal, the CAC evaluated the district’s future needs, which included the creation of the new Cline Elementary that opened in October 2023 and is now located at 1550 West Blvd., Friendswood.
The district kept the old building with a potential eye toward using it for instruction, Superintendent Thad Roher said at the meeting.
What’s next
FISD will auction the former school’s equipment in the fall, Petree said at the meeting.
A competitive sale proposal will begin in January. The land will most likely continue to be listed on sale throughout February with potential negotiations beginning in March, Petree said.
Once the sale has been negotiated and agreed upon by district officials, the board will receive a recommendation by either the March or April board workshop, Petree said.
Quote of note
“Given where demographics are ... we're going to reach build-out here in a few years,” board President Tony Hopkins said at the meeting. “I think we can build everything on the properties we have, and we have a lot of property. I think this is the right thing to do.”
