Board members reported key concerns after attending a city neighborhood forum about a proposed police station that could sit on land the district owns near Madera and Hillcrest schools.

"We need to represent the patrons of Madera — the children there — and the city needs to find replacement space for the more than four acres that would be taken for this project," said S12, a board member who attended both sessions. He pressed the city to identify replacement play areas and to explain how any lost school green space would be mitigated.

Board members said the city recorded the first presentation and held question-and-answer sessions but, as of the board meeting, had not provided a formal proposal for the district to consider. "It's our land, but it is not ... we would be selling or trading or giving up that land," Dr. Schultz said, emphasizing that a transfer would require further city action and clarity before the district could act.

Public-safety questions emerged at the forum and were relayed to the board. One attendee asked, "Where will registered *** offenders go to register?" S12 said, raising the practical concern that a police station between two schools could change registration logistics and cause community unease. The transcript redacts the exact term in that question; the board did not record a city official’s response in this meeting.

Board members also urged the city to present explicit timelines and to clarify whether the proposed site would preserve access and play opportunities for children with disabilities. Several members called for a larger community meeting to gather wider input and said they want the city to present replacement-park options and firm timelines before the district takes any formal action.

What happened at the meeting: the board did not vote on the city’s plan because no formal proposal was presented. Members will continue discussions with city leaders and await a documented request or proposal that lays out property transfer options, timelines, and mitigation for lost green space.

Next steps: board members and city officials are expected to continue the conversation; the city’s presentation timeline appears to have been pushed out, and the board will await a formal request before acting.