Hays USD 489 school board to take another look at land sale

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school board has decided to revisit the potential sale of 7.3 acres of land north of Felten Elementary School (formerly Hays Middle School).

The board voted at its March 9 meeting to reject four bids it received for the land because they were all well below the appraised value of $630,000.

Board member Ruth Ruder urged her fellow board members to invite the bidders to a school board meeting to further discuss their projects.

"If we sit on the land, we get nothing," Ruder said.

She said if the property is developed into homes, it would generate tax revenue for the school district.

She said the community would benefit from building homes on the property, citing Grow Hays' recent annual housing report, which indicated Hays does not have enough lots available to keep up with housing demand.

"I don't think we can just say no," she said.

Superintendent Ron Wilson said the property would be large enough to accommodate 20 to 22 homes.

Board President Curt Vajnar said the board has a responsibility to taxpayers to reap what the property is worth.

Board member Ken Brooks said, "All of the bids came in at that $200,000 to $250,000 range. I would love to get that big number, but are we ever going to get that number?"

Board member Jayme Goetz expressed concern about the property's future once it is sold. She said she did not want the property rezoned and a fast-food restaurant built there, or landlords buying the property for rentals.

Vajnar said he would also like to hear from someone in the real estate industry about the possibility of listing the property on the open market.

"The more educated we are, the better decisions we make," Vajnar said.