Tenants of surplus Seattle school buildings in Ballard, Small Faces Child Development Center and the Nordic Heritage Museum, will have at least a year to decide whether or not to purchase the facilities under a plan adopted by the School Board last week.

The board voted unanimously to amend the district's facilities master plan, changing the classification of 19 buildings to inventory for future school use, or surplus.

Five facilities, including the Crown Hill School (Small Faces Child Development Center) and Webster School (Nordic Heritage Museum), were assigned surplus status. Each generates about $300,000 in annual rental income.

The master tenants, which have leased the buildings for the past 25 years at a discounted price, are assured "ample opportunity to purchase the property at fair market value" for the first year. But Ron English, the district's property manager, said it's possible contract negotiations could run longer than 12 months, especially if a second party like the city is involved.

The district hopes the city will agree to purchase portions of the Webster and Crown Hill sites, which are currently used as parks or playgrounds.

The one-year caveat doesn't mean that money has to exchange hands within that time period, said English. The district will consider payment installations over several years.

The board also voted not to limit the opportunity of a purchasing partnership to just city departments and specified that the land should be offered as "open public space." That gave some relief to many community members who feared the property would be sold to developers for the highest price.

English assured the board tenants would be allowed "to take the proper time and raise the money." As an example, it took three years for the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association to purchase the old Cooper School in West Seattle from the time a contract was negotiated.

Sale of an individual site could bring in anywhere from $2 million to more than $10 million, depending on the location and zoning of the property. Appraisals have not been obtained for any of the sites and sales are subject to School Board approval and a public hearing.

School Board member Michael DeBell is in favor of tenants partnering with the city to buy some of the properties. The city has already set aside $5 million in its general budget to help purchase Allen Elementary, home of the Phinney Neighborhood Center, and two other surplus sites in conjunction with the master tenants.

"I feel very strongly this is a natural opportunity for the city," said DeBell, chair of the finance committee that reviewed the proposal. "It makes sense with their mission to support community centers."

Board member Sally Soriano made a motion to table the issue and was seconded by Mary Bass, but it failed a full board vote.

Director Irene Stewart asked whether or not staff could guarantee they wouldn't enter negotiations with other buyers for that first year.

"These tenants have invested millions in these facilities..." Stewart said. "I'm bothered by the notion that competition is still a possibility."

English said he could offer his personal commitment.

"As long as I'm property manager, I will not be negotiating with anyone other than the master tenants unless one year has passed or the tenants decide they do not want to purchase," he said.

Superintendent Raj Manhas concurred.

Stewart, who announced she would not run for School Board again after her term expires this fall, said if a verbal agreement was all they could offer, the public should ensure they find an advocate on the board.

"Make sure you keep this district to its word," Stewart said.

The Nordic Heritage Museum in the Webster school plans to leave for a new building by 2011, but its lease with the district runs out in 2010.

The museum has already closed a $5.1 million deal to purchase the Fenpro Building on Market Street to build a larger and more modern facility. There are still several years of fundraising ahead, said Sharon Lucas, the museum's interim executive director.

Lucas said she'd been expecting the board's decision but is still unclear what options are available considering the museum's situation.

The preferred choice is to continue to rent the building under the current terms until the museum's new building is ready, she said.

"We've been very clear about our intentions, Lucas said. "We're kind of waiting for (the district) to tell us specifically what our options are."

Including the master tenant Small Faces, the Crown Hill building provides space for sports activities, ballet classes and community meetings. A new city park already funded through the Pro Parks Levy is planned for the site but was put on hold while the district decided what to do with the property.

Several people spoke on behalf of preserving the site for public use.

Kit Galvin, a member of the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association, said the school is a "valuable neighborhood asset," used by thousands of families.

"Preserve the entire property and provide the time to develop and execute a plan (for purchase)," she told board members.

Another Crown Hill resident read a letter from his 10-year-old daughter.

"With your help we can make it a wonderful place," the girl wrote. "I really hope our open space doesn't disappear."

Rebekah Schilperoort may be reached at 783.1244 or rebekahs@robinsonnews.com