Washoe County School District trustees accepted donated land Tuesday from a developer for two future elementary school sites in the White Lake-Cold Springs area.
Heinz Ranch Land Co. LLC, which is building StoneGate Reno, offered two 9-acre parcels off White Lake Parkway and U.S. 395 North.
StoneGate is a planned 10-year, multi-phased development on Heinz Ranch near Laughton Valley. The almost 1,400-acre community will consist of 4,135 dwelling units, while 25 percent of it will remain open space, according to its website. However, the project has faced some red tape at City Hall.
The school site dedication agreement states if the district doesn’t use the site within 10 years that the land could revert back to Heinz if the company exercises the right of reverter clause.
The district’s preliminary timeline that’s subject to revision shows new elementary schools opening in the North Valleys and Spanish Springs areas in fall 2020, although sites haven’t been confirmed. Six additional elementary schools countywide are expected to open between fall 2021 and fall 2025. Locations would be dependent on growth.
Funds for school construction to alleviate crowding are coming from the November 2016 0.54 percent voter-approved sales tax increase. Such dollars can go only toward construction of and refurbishing of facilities. This money cannot be used for teacher or administrator salaries or other school operations.
In other action, the Board of Trustees reorganized for the calendar year, appointing Katy Simon Holland as board president, Malena Raymond as vice president, and John Mayer as clerk.
On The Web:
StoneGate Reno: http://stonegatereno.com
Washoe County School District Infrastructure Plan: http://www.wcsdbuilding.com
