Inglewood is still weighing its options before deciding what to do with Highland Elementary School and the original campus of Kelso Elementary School, both closed last year.
During a presentation at Wednesday’s school board meeting, Cheryl Matthews, chair of the asset management advisory committee, outlined findings regarding the properties after nearly four years of analysis and community input. But, she said, there’s a good reason to wait longer before making a final decision — the return of the district to local control, which could happen as early as 2027.
“I am personally requesting that the board and the county administrator not sell the properties until we are out of receivership,” Matthews said.
The committee suggested the district declare the properties as surplus for now, and once they’re no longer under state control, conduct a detailed fiscal analysis to better determine if selling, leasing or a partnership would most benefit the district and the community.
According to Matthews, the committee has explored multiple possibilities for the campuses, including employee housing, a partnership with the NBA/WNBA or maintaining the properties to be leased for future events like the Olympic Games in 2028.
“By that point and time, we can make a determination about what use would be best for our children,” Matthews said.
The recommendations come as Inglewood Unified officials are increasingly focused on how to manage properties long-term. With declining enrollment and a history of financial crises, the district is now managing the fallout of closing nearly half of its schools from 2018-2025. Though it’s not yet clear what the district will do with the Kelso and Highland campuses, Wednesday’s recommendations signal that officials will weigh uses that can generate revenue, reduce maintenance costs and provide community benefits.
Still, Inglewood Teachers Association president John Hughes told The LA Local that any decision to permanently transform a school campus is a loss to students, teachers and the community.
“Once you permanently change the property, it can’t go back to being a school if populations start to grow, and they would grow if we offered a better product,” Hughes said. “It’s not that we don’t have children here, they’re just not coming to Inglewood schools.”
Inglewood teachers, led by Hughes, also held a rally on Wednesday to continue bringing attention to their demands for better pay, reduced workloads and safer working conditions.
Hughes said he doesn’t believe the district will use any of the former school properties for the community, based on its track record.
“The closed school properties have only been leased to developers or the city,” Hughes said. “Unless I see a different pattern, I think that’s what’s going to continue. Not one property has been turned into a community center.”
Future decisions about Highland and Kelso could reshape how former school spaces serve the community for decades to come. Matthews told The LA Local she wanted people to be assured that the district has the students’ best interests in mind — and more discussion and community input is expected before any final decisions are made.
“We’re not here as Realtors, we’re here to try and leave the best legacy for our children,” Matthews said.
