GPS to purchase land for future parking

The Guthrie Board of Education voted to approve a contract towards the purchase of land that will provide parking for a new elementary school.

With a 6-0 vote, Guthrie Public Schools agreed to purchase four lots of undeveloped property southwest of Cotteral Elementary from a private owner.

The school district has agreed to pay $20,000 for the parcel of land, according to a real estate sale and purchase contract. Online records shows the current land value listed at $11,568 compared to $8,033 in 2020.

School officials plan to use the property for a construction staging area for the future elementary school. After completion of the school, the district will use the space for parking.

In April 2019, voters approved a five-year $19.2M school bond that, in part, will construct, equip and furnish a new Cotteral Elementary to be located on the existing campus. The $13.5M school is expected to hold a capacity of 500 students in the approximate 50,000 square foot building. Construtcion is currently set to begin as early as 2023.