Waitsburg Considers Sale of School District Properties

The District house and two plots on Coppei Ave. are under consideration

WAITSBURG – In recent months, the Waitsburg School Board has been examining the possibility of selling off real property, including two parcels of land on Coppei Avenue and the District house, located adjacent to Preston Hall.

"We are still in the preliminary stages of discussion, trying to see if selling the properties would cut costs for the District with savings through maintenance and upkeep," District Superintendent Jon Mishra told the audience at last week's school board meeting.

During his Maintenance, Facilities, and Transportation report, District Supervisor Colter Mohney said he had been working with the City of Waitsburg as well as Anderson Perry & Associates engineers and was hoping to be able to start the survey process this week.

Mohney said one of the properties along the highway is oddly shaped, with a "Florida-like finger," and will require surveying, but the other was more straightforward.

Mohney said the District house, which sits on District property, comes with complications as well because the city currently has a 10,000 square foot minimum to sub-divide land parcels and the house sits on property that includes the basketball courts and part of the elementary playground.

Mishra told the board he had contacted Walla Walla Title Company to gather legal information and the next steps are to gather information for considerations, make application for short plat with the City of Waitsburg, pass surplus resolutions, consider sale, rent or lease and then have the properties appraised by a certified real estate appraiser.

"It is quite complicated and will require resolution and all of that," Mishra said. "It'll take a bit of time. Probably two to three months to do the short plat application."

Teacher Nancy Bickelhaupt questioned the sale of the District house, saying she felt it was important in attracting quality staff as there is not always suitable housing available in Waitsburg.

WHS Principal and athletic director Stephanie Wooderchak, and her husband have occupied the home for the last nine years. Free rent and utilities have been part of Wooderchak's compensation as Preston Hall principal and as high school athletic director.

Board Chair Ross Hamann said discussions regarding the house have come up several times over the years and one of the concerns is that the house actually costs the District money. He said that by selling the house it would also go back on the tax rolls, adding value to the District.

Mishra reiterated that talks were in "infant stages" and that the district is simply gathering information at this point.

In a follow-up conversation, The Times asked Mishra if there was any possibility that the District house could go up for sale before Wooderchak's contract is renewed in July.

"We're just looking at our options. This is going to take a lot of time and work on our end. No one is in any hurry," Mishra said.

He also said that discussions would be part of the public agenda once more facts and hard numbers are available.