School Construction
Herbert Hoover Elementary School Replacement Campus Project
Palo Alto Unified School District ("the District"), as Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), has prepared an Initial Study (IS) for the Herbert Hoover Elementary School Replacement Campus Project (Proposed Project) pursuant to CEQA. Based on the IS, District determined that, with mitigation, the Proposed Project would have no significant adverse impacts on the environment and a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) is the appropriate CEQA compliance document. The District is providing public notice in compliance with Title 14, Chapter 3, § 15072 and 15073, of the California Code of Regulations, as amended.
The public review period will commence on Monday, October 2, 2023, and will close on Wednesday November 1, 2023. The IS/MND is available for review at:
- The Palo Alto Unified School District Main Office, 25 Churchill Avenue, Building D, Palo Alto, CA 94306, and
- On the District's website.
Comments on the IS/MND must be received, in writing, by the end of the review period, November 1, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Submit comments to: Eric Holm, Director of Facilities and Construction or mail to:
Palo Alto Unified School District
Attn: Eric Holm
25 Churchill Avenue, Building D
Palo Alto, California 94306
The Palo Alto Unified School District has continued to improve its school facilities during the past two decades with the implementation of three Facilities Bonds:
- Building for Excellence: 1999-2005
- Strong Schools Bond - Measure A: 2008-Present
- Strong Schools Bond - Measure Z: 2018-Present
Updates for projects currently under construction, individual school site facilities plans, and links to oversight committees are listed below.
Construction updates
Greene - New Library & CTE Classroom Building - Preconstruction Phase 10/31
Improvements at Greene include construction of a single story CTE classroom building and a two-story Food Service and Library building. There will also be renovation of vacated Library space in the J/K wing. The existing buildings E & H will be demolished to make way for new construction of the classroom and Library wings.
Bids were received on March 14. The Board approved an award to Sausal on March 28. Construction is being held off until December at the request of campus staff. This project will be phased and will impact the central quad area. The MDF will be relocated to Building C over winter break, and an interim Industrial Technology classroom will be set up in the Gym also.
Palo Verde - New MP and Administration Buildings - Construction Phase 10/31
This project will construct a new Multi-Purpose building to replace the existing building in its current location. A Classroom building includes six new classrooms and new Music classroom along Rorke Ave. The Administration building has been renovated with new reception, nurse station, kitchen and upgraded Gender Neutral restrooms.
Palo Verde Elementary is within 90% of completion. The contractor is currently completing punch list items in Bldgs. F, G, H and C. Contractors have begun installation of wall and ceiling finishes in the Multipurpose Building and electrical rough in work continues. Site concrete is about 15% complete as they have begun pouring concrete ramp and retaining wall footings.
Escondido - New Multi-Purpose and Administration Building - Construction Phase 10/31
This project will demolish the existing Administration Office and Multi-Purpose building and replace it with a new building in its current location. The project will also add two new enrichment lab classrooms on the upper field and provide some minor renovations in the Library building to accommodate new Learning and Resource Centers.
The Enrichment Lab Classrooms casework, ceiling grid installation and our storefront door and window installation are complete. Exterior grading, paving, and irrigation work is ongoing around the Enrichment Lab building. The MPR/Admin building slab poured on Thursday 10/26 with support from the Escondido Community that was greatly appreciated. Structural steel is nearing completion, and wood wall framing has commenced and will continue for the next 5-6 weeks.
Additional Information
Each school site was engaged in meetings relevant to its specific site to develop conceptual plans based on district wide goals. The breakdown of projects reflects a consensus that the issues raised by the focus groups apply to the various sites as well.
The Board Bond Advisory Committee (BBAC) has been established as a Board of Education committee to provide advice to the Board in its thinking about the Strong Schools Bond activities.
Bond Citizens' Oversight Committee
The Bond Citizens' Oversight Committee is responsible for review of the activities of two bond measures.
This committee meets with various members of staff to review issues related to district property or property interests to be acquired by the District and also for improvements to district property.