The Washington State Board of Natural Resources approved the transfer of a 10-acre parcel of state trust lands in West Richland to the Richland School District during its meeting Tuesday morning in Olympia.

 

The Richland School District will pay fair market value of $961,000 for the parcel.

 

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources previously managed the parcel, due north of Tapteal Elementary School along North 62nd Avenue, for agriculture, but the transferred portion of it lacked water rights. As development surrounded the parcel on multiple sides, agriculture is no longer the highest and best use for that portion of land.

 

“This transaction demonstrates that the Department of Natural Resources supports public education in Washington state in many ways, and I am proud that this transaction will have an impact locally and allow us to purchase lands that will better serve our schools across the state,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz.

 

“We are excited for the future development opportunities this parcel of land provides the Richland School District, allowing us to continue to build spaces for our students to grow academically,” said Richland School District Executive Director of Operations Richard Krasner. 

 

The State of Washington originally received the parcel from Congress at statehood, and it has supported the Common School Trust, which funds K-12 school construction statewide. The money from the transaction will be used to purchase replacement property elsewhere in the state that is better suited for long-term management to support school construction.

 

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