April 9, 2024

The Sedona Oak Creek School District’s Governing Board voted last week to call for a special election authorizing the sale, lease or exchange of the district’s Big Park property in the Village of Oak Creek.

Board members have been looking into the possibility due to the ongoing maintenance costs for the property, which has been mostly unused since Big Park Elementary School closed in 2018. They do recognize that many residents hope for an option that will preserve at least part of the property as a community space.

At their April 2 meeting, Board Members said that delaying a decision on whether to call for the special election would have meant missing the deadline for the issue to appear on the November ballot.

They also noted that calling for the election does not obligate the District to any specific course of action for the property; and discussions for what to do with it will continue between now, the election, and a potential sale. District officials say they will continue to welcome community input throughout the process.

Josh Freeman | KAZM News Director | josh@mellowmountainradio.com