The Pittsburgh school board yesterday adopted a policy on the sale of surplus buildings that guarantees charter schools the same purchasing rights as any other entity.

The policy includes procedures the board has used in the past, such as selling buildings through sealed bids and court-approved negotiated sales.

It also includes a new option -- negotiating sales that would not require court approval. The buildings must be at least 25 years old, and other restrictions would apply.

Board members said it's the first time they've had a written policy on disposing of surplus properties.

"I think it will help provide a clear focus for how we evaluate bids," board member Dara Ware Allen said.

The policy doesn't specifically mention charter schools or any other type of would-be buyer, but solicitor Ira Weiss said it would afford charters the same purchasing rights as anyone else.

"I think it removes the apparent bias against charter schools," he said.

In the past, charter school organizers have complained about discrimination by Pittsburgh Public Schools, including being denied the right to purchase buildings.

The city Urban Redevelopment Authority, which is marketing about a dozen closed school buildings for the district, says on its Web site that the district prefers not to "encourage" competing schools.

Mr. Weiss said that language will be removed from the Web site. He said similar language on any documents, such as requests for purchasing proposals, also will be removed.

Board members voted 8-0 to approve the policy. Mark Brentley Sr. abstained.

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