The Sedona-Oak Creek School District’s survey on the use of the former Big Park Community School property is still open, but the results so far have largely said to keep the Community Library Sedona branch on the property.

The SOCSD Governing Board, which met during a community information meeting on the former school’s property, said other top priorities in the survey included workforce housing, health and food resources and art options.

“We have received over 500 responses,” said Stacy Saravo, the district’s director of finance. “The majority of the respondents, 85.6% to be exact, were identified as Big Park neighbors or community members. Additional respondents included parents, guardians, staff, local organizations and other district community members.”

The survey is open through Tuesday, March 3, Saravo said. It includes options for survey takers to list their top three priorities and what they want to see after the sale finalizes.

SOCSD Superintendent Tom Swaninger, Ph.D., presented preliminary information on the four bids the district is considering.

“We’re not going to share the names of the organizations that are making these bids,” he said, “because that could interfere with that process.”

The first two offers are similar and were presented as one.

“Offers 1 and 2 are proposed for residential development homes allowed under current zoning,” Saravo said. “The timeline is approximately 10 to 17 months from an acceptance to a closing for that offer.”

She said the district has not requested any zoning change.

“Offer 3 along with a residential development. This proposal includes possible community uses such as a library or garden, the buyer intends to plan for a portion to be used consistent with community needs,” Saravo said. “The timeline for that offer would be approximately three months.

“Offer 4. This offer focuses on a community-centered use, education services and spiritual well-being. This includes a church and community center and a possibility of staff housing. The timeline for this offer would be just under five months.”

There were about 80 audience members at the meeting, and about 15 spoke during public comment. Others handed in written feedback.

“I think there’s too much vagueness on … when you say ‘community needs,’ what is that?” Marlene Macek said. “So it’s really hard for me to say which offer I would like, because it’s a very wide open definition.”

About half the comments included desires to keep the library.

“I have lived here quite a while from before the school was built,” said Linda Allen, board president of Community Library Sedona. “We added a room to our house because when we learned that a school was being built, we decided that a house needed to have three bedrooms if you were going to be next door to the school. And then, of course, I now have a third bedroom and no school.”

She said she doesn’t want the building to be demolished for any new construction, and for the buildings to remain as they have been.

“Superintendent Swaninger, I understand clearly your point about the school board’s responsibility is primarily and only focused on its children,” Allen said, “but a library and housing and the cultural and educational and recreational benefits from broad and creative use of these facilities, clearly, is in the benefit to the benefit of the children who get on those busses every day and travel over to West Sedona School.”

Jim McCann, a board member for the Project Fill the Need food pantry on the property, said the library is important, but a lot of local organizations running out of the former school are just as important to the community.

“We’ve been in operation since 2021,” he said. “Some statistics: We served 660 client visits in 2025 and distributed over 31,000 pounds of food out of a room just down across the courtyard here.”

Swaninger said he will reach out to the members of the public who spoke with answers to the questions they had and will publish a list of answers to common questions and misconceptions he heard throughout the public comment. Those wanting to voice opinions or ask him questions directly can email him at swaninger@sedonak12.org.