Contact:
Hilary Gaede
Acting Town Clerk
Town of Yountville
707.944.8851 I hgaede@yville.com
Julie Bordes
Chief Communications Officer
Napa Valley Unified School District
707.684.6702 I julie_bordes@nvusd.org
TOWN OF YOUNTVILLE PREPARED TO PURCHASE YOUNTVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PROPERTY WOULD SERVE AN IMMEDIATE NEED AS THE COMMUNITY WEIGHS FUTURE OPTIONS
SALE WOULD PROVIDE NVUSD WITH FUNDS FOR SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
February 29, 2024 –Next week, the Yountville Town Council and the Napa Valley Unified School District’s (NVUSD) Board of Education will consider a purchase and sale agreement for the Yountville Elementary School. This is the first step toward selling the former school site to the Town of Yountville. Though not final, the sale is expected
to close by May 30, 2024. Once finalized, the sale would provide NVUSD with eleven million dollars ($11,000,000). These funds would be invested back into local NVUSD schools through infrastructure improvements like new roofing and other repairs. The Town has begun all necessary due diligence and plans to allocate another $1.5 million, if the property is acquired, for initial clean-up and beautification, interim community uses, and a robust public engagement process to determine the long-term future of the site.
The $11M acquisition price, and $1.5M of initial investment, will be funded by specific savings for this purchase, along with excess general fund reserves and Measure S funds designated for workforce housing. The Town will maintain its high reserve targets and not issue any debt for the purchase. This is possible due to consistent growth in revenues and prudent fiscal stewardship for the past decade.
“The Town has been interested in this property for years and we are excited to be moving forward,” said Town of Yountville Mayor Margie Mohler. “The current market conditions and the Town’s sound financial position make this the ideal time to bring this idea to life. Our entire Town Council agrees this is the highest priority for our community.”
“Acquiring this site in the heart of Yountville will allow us to better serve residents and businesses,” said Town Manager Brad Raulston. “We’re excited to make a positive impact right away by bringing the site back to life as we engage with our community on long-term plans. This is a strategic investment in the future of our Town.”
“We are so excited about this opportunity that would benefit our NVUSD students. Although these proceeds would not be enough to address most of the district’s facilities needs at our aging schools, it would provide NVUSD with a good start,” said NVUSD Board President Cindy Watter.
“We remain committed to providing safe and modern learning environments for our students and staff, while also remaining sound fiscal stewards of our District’s resources,” said NVUSD Superintendent Dr. Rosanna Mucetti. “The majority of our schools were constructed 60 years ago and now require regular upkeep and repair. School Districts do not get adequate state funding for these repairs. We are pleased to enter this mutually beneficial business relationship with the Town of Yountville to obtain proceeds we would direct towards roofing repairs and other essential work that would benefit our NVUSD students, staff, and families.”
If the purchase and sale agreement is approved by both governing bodies next week, an open house will be scheduled towards the end of March prior to closing the sale. The open house will serve as an opportunity for community members to learn more about the acquisition and ask questions related to the property’s future. The vision is to create an immediate impact while planning a balanced project that includes a park, civic uses, and workforce housing. The Town of Yountville looks forward to engaging residents and businesses in discussing ideas for the 6.8-acre property.
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The item will go before Town Council at the March 5, 2024 Regular Council meeting. The full packet agenda will be available tomorrow, March 1, 2024.