The lots where the former Port Arthur Independent School District administration offices stood may soon find a new owner.

The PAISD Board of Trustees will consider bids from potential owners during a regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The board meets at the present administration building at 4801 9th Ave.

“We have a policy that we follow for all purchases,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Porterie said. “It’ll all be up for bid.”

The administration building that stood at 733 5th St., and the PAISD federal funding building that was located at 730 6th St., were demolished after the present administration offices opened in 2011. Both buildings were located near the former Federal Building and World Trade — aka Adams — Building, both of which Motiva has purchased.

“We have a lot of property, but we’re not in the business of holding property,” Porterie said. “We’re in the business of educating kids.”

Board trustees Thursday will be recognized in honor of School Board Recognition Month in Texas, which Gov. Greg Abbott declared to honor more than 7,200 trustees in the state.

Trustees also will hear a financial audit report during the meeting.

Also listed on the agenda, the board will consider:

• a measure to decrease its general fund balance and increase expenses for the rollover of board-approved Hurricane Harvey repairs by $612,514;
• a $65,000-per-year hire of Lamar University’s Department of Speech and Hearing to provide special education speech language pathology services;
• the replacement of the original chiller at Lakeview Elementary School, and
• a $37,941 purchase of MindPlay Virtual Reading Coach Software for elementary students from Texas Educational Solutions.

Any action taken to the general fund Thursday will not increase the district’s budget, Porterie said.

“We’re just moving money, like you do in your regular household,” Porterie said. “You move some of your money over here because you buy something. We’re just balancing.”