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AGENDA: Salem-Keizer School Board to consider St. Edward land sale, apartment tax exemption

Members of the Salem-Keizer School board during a meeting. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

The Salem-Keizer School Board will consider putting the finishing touches on a land sale agreement with St. Edward Catholic Church at a Tuesday meeting.

District attorneys last week negotiated an agreement with the church to buy a little over 6 acres of vacant land for $2.26 million. The settlement ended more than a year of negotiations and closed a district lawsuit seeking to force the church to sell the land through eminent domain.

On Tuesday, the board will vote on whether to approve the sale.

Board members will also consider a tax exemption for the Court Yard Apartments, a 40-unit downtown apartment complex, under Salem’s multi-family housing tax exemption program.

The city has approved the exemption and has asked the district to do the same. The exemption would cost the district about $16,428 in its first year, according to board documents.

The board will also approve district grants, including nearly $240,000 from the Oregon Department of Education, to fund schooling for middle and high school students involved in the juvenile court system, and $907,000 in federal dollars for improving school conditions and access to technology.

Board members will hear reports on student achievement and the superintendent evaluation process.

Following the school board meeting, the district’s budget committee will convene for an introductory meeting at 7 p.m. in the same location. All board members sit on the budget committee, along with seven volunteer community members.

Meeting details: 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the district’s Support Services Center, 2575 Commercial Street SE.

Board members: Kathy Goss, Sheronne Blasi, Marty Heyen, Jesse Lippold, Paul Kyllo, Jim Green and Chuck Lee.

 Reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.

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