The Roaring Fork School District Board of Education will hold its first meeting of the 2024-25 school year on Wednesday, including a work session on the future of a superintendent house purchased earlier this year.

In February, the board unanimously decided to buy a three-bedroom townhome in the Crystal Bluffs Loop area of River Valley Ranch in Carbondale. The $1.23 million purchase was part of a strategic plan to attract and retain top talent for the district’s highest administrative role. However, with the start of the new school year, the board must now determine how to utilize the property, given that it remains unoccupied.

Superintendent Anna Cole has chosen not to use the house. 

The board’s original plan included the possibility of offering the home to other senior leaders, such as district principals, if the superintendent opted not to live there. This summer, the house was considered for several leadership positions, including a new chief financial officer and two newly hired principals. However, all the candidates had existing housing and did not require the district-provided accommodation.

“The intent was always for superintendent or senior leadership housing,” Cole said. “We kept the property available for potential hires, but it wasn’t needed. It served as a backup option during the hiring process, especially as we looked to fill key roles like the chief financial officer, but ultimately, no one required it.”

With the property currently unoccupied, the board is expected to discuss its next steps during a work session at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, just before the regular meeting. 

“The board will review staff recommendations and decide how best to align the property with the district’s needs moving forward,” Cole said. “We need to ensure it serves its intended purpose, whether that’s for the superintendent or other senior leaders. The board has been proactive, and now it’s about making sure this asset is used in a way that benefits the district.”

The outcome of this discussion will have implications for the district’s strategy in supporting its leadership team. The board is keen to ensure the property is utilized effectively, especially given the challenges of housing in the Roaring Fork Valley, Cole said. 

“We don’t want it to sit open and empty,” she explained. “With the housing market being what it is, it’s crucial that we make a thoughtful decision that supports our district’s long-term goals.”

Wednesday’s discussion regarding the recently purchased property and how to proceed with it will take place during Wednesday’s 5 p.m. work session at the Carbondale District Office.