Big Park Community School Valued at $9.5 Million

The Sedona-Oak Creek School District (SOCSD) Governing Board revealed on May 13 that the now-closed Big Park Community School in the Village of Oak Creek has been appraised at $9.5 million. This figure reflects the property’s “as is” market value as of April 3, including $300,000 in deferred roof maintenance costs.

This appraisal marks a significant step in SOCSD’s initiative to consider selling the property, which has remained idle since its closure in May 2018 due to declining student enrollment.

On December 3, the school board approved a request for proposals (RFP) for an appraisal, which was formally issued on February 11. The appraisal was conducted by Tempe-based Appraisal Technology LLC, costing the district $5,000.

In a November 5 election, district voters supported the potential sale of the property—spanning 20.8 acres and featuring 69,712 square feet of buildings—by a margin of 7,802 votes to 2,528. This decision came after the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors did not express interest in a purchase proposal from former Yavapai County Supervisor Donna Michaels.

Superintendent Tom Swaninger, Ph.D., noted that the lack of county interest influenced the delayed appraisal. “The support was never really there [from the county], and we made the right decision in waiting,” he stated.

Swaninger and Governing Board President Randy Hawley confirmed plans to list the property for sale, citing its ongoing financial burden on the district. “It needs repairs, and I don’t think we’re ever going to need it again,” Hawley remarked.

The appraisal report indicated that repairing the roof and addressing ceiling damage across approximately 34,000 square feet would cost around $300,000.

Currently, part of the property is leased to the Community Library Sedona’s VOC branch and used by Christian Faith Fellowship for Sunday services.

Swaninger announced plans for another public meeting at the Big Park campus to gather community feedback, though a date has yet to be determined. “The next step would be for the board to decide if they want to list the property,” he said during the May 8 meeting with the nonprofit Big Park Regional Coordinating Council.

The next SOCSD school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, at 4 p.m. at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. At this meeting, the board is expected to discuss the Big Park property and may vote on seeking a broker for its sale.