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The Steamboat Springs School Board could decide tonight whether to sell, lease or retain the George P. Sauer Human Services Center on Seventh Street.

At the end of a lengthy School Board meeting that began Monday night and didn't end until 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, board members decided to hold a special meeting tonight to continue discussions about the district-owned Human Services Center.

The Steamboat Springs City Council voted last week to use the Human Services Center for the city's new community center, a decision based on a "memorandum of understanding" between the city and the school district that allowed the site to be considered. There has not been a formal cost appraisal for the site.

At Monday's meeting, School Board members heard comments from several senior citizens, who will be the primary users of the new community center. They said they prefer a site at the Stock Bridge Transit Center.

"The community center needs to be the kind of building we were promised," said Grace Dubendorf, citing repairs needed at the Human Services Center before it could be opened as a community center. "It's not just for old folks."

"I don't think you should sell this property," Belle Chotvacs told the School Board. "I think you would be doing a huge disservice to the whole town."

For the city to begin construction on the community center next month -- as architects have recommended, the school district most likely would have to decide tonight whether to sell the property, provide a short-term lease to the city or retain the property.

"We're not meeting again until June 1, and the city needs to know," Superintendent Donna Howell said.

Rick Denney, facilities director for the school district, cautioned School Board members Monday against making a hasty decision.

"I have some concerns about the speed at which this process is taking place," Denney said. "It would be prudent to put a master plan in place before you make any decisions about this property."

Should the school district decide tonight to sell or lease the property to the city, Howell said School Board members could then go into an executive session with city officials to discuss terms of the sale agreement. Executive sessions are not open to the public, but no formal action can be taken until the meeting is re-opened to the public.

"It's no different from a disciplinary hearing," Howell said. "You can bring people in to provide information. But no decision can be made in executive session."

Any decision to sell the property must be made in public, Howell said.

--o reach Mike Lawrence, call 871-4203

or e-mail mlawrence@steamboatpilot.com