The Fauntleroy Community Services Agency will have at least a year to decide whether or not to purchase the old Fauntleroy schoolhouse under a plan adopted by the School Board.

The board voted unanimously to amend the district's facilities master plan, changing the classification of 19 buildings to inventory for future school use, or surplus.

Five facilities, including the Fauntleroy School that houses the Fauntleroy Children's Center, were assigned surplus status. Each generates about $300,000 in annual rental income.

The master tenants, which have leased the buildings for the past 25 years at a discounted price, are assured "ample opportunity to purchase the property at fair market value" for the first year. But Ron English, the district's property manager, said it's possible contract negotiations could run longer than 12 months, especially if a second party like the city is involved.

The district hopes the city will agree to purchase the portion of the Fauntleroy site that is currently used for open space and playgrounds.

The one-year caveat doesn't mean that money has to exchange hands within that time period, said English. The district will consider payment in installments over several years.

The board also voted not to limit the opportunity of a purchasing partnership to just city departments and specified that the land should be offered as "open public space." That gave some relief to many community members who feared the property would be sold to developers for the highest price.

English assured the board tenants would be allowed "to take the proper time and raise the money." As an example, it took three years for the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association to purchase the old Cooper School from the time a contract was negotiated.

Sale of an individual site could bring in anywhere from $2 million to more than $10 million, depending on the location and zoning of the property. Appraisals have not been obtained for any of the sites and sales are subject to School Board approval and a public hearing.

School Board member Michael DeBell is in favor of tenants partnering with the city to buy some of the properties. The city has already set aside $5 million in its general budget to help purchase Allen Elementary, home of the Phinney Neighborhood Center, and two other surplus sites in conjunction with the master tenants.

"I feel very strongly this is a natural opportunity for the city," said DeBell, chair of the finance committee that reviewed the proposal. "It makes sense with their mission to support community centers."

Board member Sally Soriano made a motion to table the issue and was seconded by Mary Bass, but it failed a full board vote.

Board members have also asked district staff to investigate options for renting out empty buildings that won't be sold, including offering credit for tenants that provide kindergarten-through-12th-grade services.

A for-profit dance studio and catering company sublease space in the Fauntleroy schoolhouse at market-rate rents, but the district may also change its policy that allows master tenants to charge full rent to businesses that don't provide kindergarten-through-12th-grade services.

Because 95 percent of the child center tuition goes toward teacher's salaries, rents from other tenants help subsidize costs of running the center and maintaining the building, said Kevin Wooley, president of the Fauntleroy Community Services Agency, the group that runs the children's center.

The group is currently conducting a feasibility study on whether or not to purchase the site from the district.

Even though the school district has said it would give current tenants first dibs to purchase the properties, some are still worried the community assets will end up in the hands of private developers.

West Seattle's director, Irene Stewart, asked whether or not staff could guarantee they wouldn't enter negotiations with other buyers for that first year.

"These tenants have invested millions in these facilities..." Stewart said. "I'm bothered by the notion that competition is still a possibility."

English said he could offer his personal commitment.

"As long as I'm property manager, I will not be negotiating with anyone other than the master tenants unless one year has passed or the tenants decide they do not want to purchase," he said.

Superintendent Raj Manhas concurred.

Stewart, who announced she would not run for School Board again after her term expires this fall, said if a verbal agreement was all they could offer, the public should ensure they find an advocate on the board.

"Make sure you keep this district to its word," Stewart said.

Rebekah Schilperoort may be reached at 783.1244 or rebekahs@robinsonnews.com