Huntington Beach school district selling former Gisler Middle School property to developer for $42 million

The former Ernest H. Gisler Middle School property is being sold by the Huntington Beach City School District to developer Brookfield Homes to the tune of $42 million.

The board of trustees Tuesday night considered four written bids for the 13.9-acre property at 21141 Strathmoor Lane, with bids beginning at $17 million, with the goal of using the sale proceeds to fund facility improvements, district staff said.

The board unanimously approved Brookfield, the highest bidder, for development of single-family residential lots.

Brookfield representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Huntington Beach district acquired the land in 1968. The middle school was built in 1973 but closed in 1986 when the board of trustees at the time decided the property wasn’t needed for school classrooms.

It was unused until July 2001, when Brethren Christian School entered a long-term lease with the district to use the facilities and grounds.

The lease ended in June last year, and the private school has since relocated to 6931 Edinger Ave.

Following the end of the lease, the district adopted a resolution in October declaring the property surplus and intended for sale. The district put the property to auction in January.

Gisler was one of three schools being studied for possible sale two years ago, along with Joseph R. Perry Elementary and Isaac L. Sowers Middle, both of which are still operating.

The state’s Naylor Act requires school districts to offer any or all portions of a surplus property to government agencies to preserve or make available to the public for recreational and open-space purposes. However, no such entities expressed interest in acquiring the property.

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