[Editor’s Note: Mr. Reynolds is assistant superintendent for business for the School District.] 

First of two parts. 

Thanks to the overwhelming support of Culver City voters, the School District is in the midst of perhaps the largest facilities improvement and renovation project in its history. While it is expected to take 12 years to complete everything funded through the Measure CC bond issue, it is important to share regular updates like this with the community.

When Culver City voters approved Measure CC, the School District implemented three parallel construction areas of focus:

• Our first addresses the expansion and completion of pre-existing large-scope projects made possible by the passage of Measure CC. These include additional improvements to our Athletic Complex at Culver City High School and renovations to Robert Frost Auditorium in three specific areas:  Replacing the ancient heating unit with a state-of-the-art heating and air conditioning system, making the back of the house amenities accessible to every student, and providing a safe, fully-functional catwalk and lighting structure for our stage area.
• Our second major area of focus involves the deferred maintenance projects best tackled during summer, spring, and winter breaks when many students and staff are not present. These can be implemented without having to wait for the often lengthy plan reviews and pre-approvals required by the Division of the State Architect (DSA). This process that can take anywhere from two to 12 months after architectural plans are developed and submitted. Projects like the following have been identified as ideal summer projects because they do not require DSA review and approval and are best done when school is not in session:
  • Renovation of the Front Gym at the Middle School.
  • Installation of many additional security cameras throughout the School District.
  • Additional security fencing at several schools.
  • Immediate roofing needs.
  • Middle School Weight Room.
• Our third area of focus involves planning and implementing large-scale, long-range renovations at all of  school sites over the next 12 year. Our goal: That these efforts properly align with the funding schedule since the School District will receive approximately one-fourth of the $106 million Measure CC bond proceeds every three years.   These projects involve the largest investment of Measure CC funds. They include formation of a large School District construction team, including multiple architectural firms, several construction management firms, and associated inspection consultants which will operate within the structure of the previously-mentioned DSA pre-approval process.

All of these areas of focus are subject to the control of a statewide public facility construction governance structure that includes environmental regulations, public funding opportunities, safety regulations, the DSA process, and an ever-changing legal environment that can either facilitate or restrict the progress of any of our three parallel focus areas. There will be times that we all wish things could move faster.

But to adhere to the state requirements in place to assure fair, safe and environmentally sensitive construction, projects may take longer than we anticipate. You can see the timeline for a typical project that requires DSA approval at ccusd-measurecc.org.

While the District and its construction team controls much of this work, there are points along the way when even the District is subject to DSA’s calendar.

We are working diligently to schedule all of our projects so that they can be shovel-ready at the right time.  As we continue our long-range planning, projects that can be done over spring break or over the summer are being planned as well to capitalize on every opportunity to get work done when students and teachers are not impacted.

A highly complex level of planning is required not only to meet state construction requirements but make the best use of our funds.

For example, we are on the verge of completing construction of a key component of our first area of focus, the expansion of our High School Athletic Complex through the investment of Measure CC funds.  This investment created an opportunity to apply for $7.18 million in state matching funds from the next statewide facilities construction bond under the current funding guidelines.  In other words, if the current effort to pass a “Kindergarten Through Community College Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2016” initiative is successful, the investment of Measure CC proceeds in our sports complex could make the District eligible for a portion of those new bond funds. This  could add $7 million in new money to our current $106 million Measure CC funding.

(To be continued)

Mr. Reynolds may be contacted at mikereynolds@ccusd.org