The Baldwin City school board agreed Monday to hear from the public before making a decision on whether to donate land for a community center.

The Baldwin City Recreation Commission board decided in November to make a push for a community center and subsequently addressed meetings of the Baldwin City Council and Baldwin City school district about its intentions. It was explained at the meetings that the city would be asked to provide a funding source to build the facility with the help of a capital drive on land the school district would donate. Baker University would be another important partner, as the proposed center would be open for student use.

A committee of BCRC, city, school district and Baker representatives was formed in December to identify a site for the community center and ensure the stakeholders were on the same page.

On Monday, BCRC director Steve Friend proposed two possible sites to the Baldwin City school board: the empty square block the district owns east of Sixth Street between Baker and Chapel streets, and the Rhulen property northeast of the high school.

Superintendent Paul Dorathy said Tuesday that Baker officials found the Sixth Street property more attractive because of its proximity to the school, but that it was his understanding selection of the Rhulen property would not be a deal-breaker.

The district paid $200,000 for the Rhulen property, Dorathy said. Should a community center be built on the site, the district still would have room to use part of the property for parking or other purposes, he said. He did not have an appraisal for the Sixth Street site, he said.

The board was generally in favor of donating land but agreed to invite the public to comment at its March 21 meeting before taking any actions.

The district would benefit in several ways from a community center, Dorathy said. It would help end scheduling pressure on district gyms and facilities the BCRC currently uses for its activities. It also would provide afternoon and summer programming for district students and improve the quality of life of the community, he said.

In other business, the school board approved a cold weather recess policy for elementary students. Dorathy said students will be allowed to go outside for recess when wind-chill temperatures are 20 degrees or higher.