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Higley school district eyes buying land parcels
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Two parcels of land that could accommodate a future high school in Queen Creek and an alternative high school in Gilbert are being considered for possible purchase by the Higley Unified School District.
District officials are looking at a 42.5-acre site between the old Rittenhouse Road and Germann Road, west of Sossaman Road in Queen Creek, for a possible third high school.
However, there are several issues with the site, and the district doesn't need a third high school right now. There are 4,000 high school students in the district, said Fred Stone, the district's executive director of support services.
The land is smaller than a typical high school site, and probably would not have all the room for amenities other district schools have. Williams Field High School is built on 50 acres, Stone said.
"It can be done, particularly if we go two-story," Superintendent Joyce Lutrey said during a school board work study session Thursday in which the two sites were discussed.
The district is already talking about adding on to Higley High and Williams Field High for future student growth.
The site also has a road that splits the land into two parts, which presents a problem for parking and sports fields, Stone said.
The land is zoned commercial, although its owner wants it used for a school, district officials said.
The $11.1 million appraised price for the land is out of the district's budget, so the district would have to figure out a way to pay for it.
"The property has been on sale for a while," Stone said.
The other piece of property is a 2.5-acre site at the southwest corner of Pecos and Recker roads in Gilbert, across from Higley High.
This property could be used for an alternative high school, extra district office space or a preschool.
Board member Denise Standage said she's interested in having district officials come back with what is needed for this site.
The land is appraised at $962,000 and is zoned commercial.
Both sellers are interested in continuing talks, and the district will continue exploring each option, Stone said.
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