School Construction
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
The Paly Tower Building renovation will provide ADA accessible building entrances, toilet rooms, and a new elevator. Infrastructure will also be replaced, including new air conditioning, lighting and power, fire alarm, data, plumbing, fire protection systems and a new tile roof. A new raised terrace on the Quad will be built to accommodate outdoor assemblies. A project NTP of July 8th, 2022, with a final completion date of December 8th, 2023, was issued to Cal Pacific Construction. Foundations for the terrace retaining walls at ramps and demolition for the ramp on the north side of the building is progress. First floor ceiling in the corridor is in progress and wall framing was completed during January. Fire sprinkler, electrical and plumbing is also ongoing on first floor. On the second floor, wall framing is complete and ceiling framing is in progress. In wall and ceiling rough in work also ongoing. Attic fire sprinkler and plumbing work is ongoing, and the platforms are complete. The HVAC units have been delivered and are on site.
This project includes the renovation and expansion of buildings A & B to provide new space for Administration and Food Services. The new spaces will include new CTE classrooms for Culinary Arts and a Design Studio. Additionally, the classrooms in building K are being converted into two Science Labs. Demolition within buildings A & B continued through January with demolition of the slab on grade for underground utilities. Under-slab plumbing work started in January and will be completed in February. Underground electrical work will commence in February along with more structural reinforcing work.
This project will construct a new addition to the existing library for Administration. The existing Library will accommodate new Counseling offices and a Wellness Center, and the existing Administration building will house a new Library. DSA approval is pending completion of the REH investigative work in Building 100. Once complete, DSA will stamp the drawings and the project will be put out to bid. Bids will likely be received in April, with construction planned to begin in May 2023 and continue through Fall of 2024. This phased project will temporarily relocate the library to the PE classroom.
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.