It was a good thing that the Seattle School Board did last week, and we were happy to see relatively quick action on a somewhat Byzantine process of leasing or selling buildings that are no longer used as schools.

The board approved a plan that used to reduce rent 50 percent for seven organizations that promoted youth and family activities, including the Fauntleroy School which now serves as a day care and community center. The revision by the school board finance committee makes education a focus and does not limit the number of organizations that can get the discount.

Where once the rent was reduced for an entire facility, now only subtenants providing youth education will get the reduction. These include "before and after school programs; preschool, child care, and infant care; tutoring, reading, and other supplemental education; dance, art, and sports programs directed to children; and similar activities directed to enhance and enrich childhood experiences."

Other tenants would pay rent equal to full market value.

Excellent, and we hope the district applies this to more than just Fauntleroy. Jefferson Square is owned by the district and with the influx of new apartment and condominium buildings, the area is becoming more upscale. We hope the district will "upscale" rental of that important part of the Junction.

The school administration has reviewed all of its closed buildings and decided to sell some and keep others for future use as schools. That is good thinking, however, we suggest the district do more than keep older buildings, but keep them at least partially modernized. The way the leases of the past have been applied has let some of the structures fall into severe disrepair.

Leases often said the district would only be responsible for the roofs, leaving rental tenants to take care of everything from leaky plumbing to crumbling bathrooms and common areas, even allowing dangerious materials like asbestos to remain.

Taxpayers do not want money squandered, for certain. But leaving especially the unoccupied buildings to crumble into disrepair just means a much higher cost later.

As for the rental of older buildings by community service providers, we are glad the district, as well as the city and sate, is seeking to assist these very important tenants to buy the building. These community agencies provide services no other group is providing, and their loss would impact West Seattle and the entire city. It is not, as one complainer said, "tax breaks for private citizens," but added welfare for all citizens.

We often find reason to complain about the Seattle Public Schools, but not this time. We are still very hopeful the "new" school board and administration will lead us out of the dismal past decade.

- Jack Mayne