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Snowline Joint Unified School District leaders told the board they have completed cost estimates and phased construction plans for multiple Measure J modernization projects and are working to encumber available bond money and obtain state Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) notifications so those projects can proceed.

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District staff said Serrano High School is the largest near-term project with a current planning estimate of about $40 million and will require an interim housing plan, separate DSA approvals and phased bidding. Staff presented a financing plan that uses the district’s initial Measure J issuance, interest earnings and a planned second bond issuance, while also describing a potential “hardship” pathway under state rules that would cover roughly 40% of eligible costs if timing and encumbrances align.

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Bill Flynn, a district staff member leading facilities work, told the board the district’s cost estimate for the Serrano modernization is “pretty complete” and said, “we’re we’re looking nice, beautiful round number there. Nice little $40,000,000.” He said the estimate has not been bid and could change when work is put to contract.

Flynn and project staff described an interim housing plan that would place 14 portables near the outdoor courts to house some classrooms during construction. “That will be the interim housing area, for for, not the entire duration of the project, but for a good portion of it,” Flynn said.

Staff described the design-review and permitting steps the district must complete before bidding. The interim housing plan will need a separate DSA (Division of the State Architect) number and, staff said, is an "over the counter" process expected to take weeks rather than months. Architects and construction managers will complete constructability reviews, then produce bid documents for phased procurement.

Jeff Carter, who staff said has been attending weekly planning meetings, described logistics at Serrano as substantial and emphasized the district’s coordination with site leadership. Principal and site leaders were described as engaged in planning and early communications to staff and families.

On timing and money, staff showed the Measure J cash flow from the first bond issuance, roughly $30 million available in Fund 21, and explained projected spending across the next three years. Flynn said the district expects to do a second bond issuance in 2027 “of about $20,000,000” to continue funded projects, subject to market and assessed-valuation conditions.

Staff also outlined a parallel strategy tied to the Office of Public School Construction. The district has begun receiving state “notifications” for several projects (Pinion Hills, Quail Valley and others). Superintendent-level staff explained that if the district can encumber bond funds and other local sources before the state funds those same projects, the state’s hardship process could apply so the state would fund the 40% share of eligible costs. As staff explained, that outcome depends on timing: “Hardship doesn’t do you any good ... if it’s not encumbered or not spent,” a district staff member said.

District staff repeatedly cautioned the board that the $40 million Serrano number is an estimate: “When we bid it out, that’s a whole another ballgame,” Flynn said. He noted that interest earned on bond money while it sits in the county treasury has already helped close funding gaps and that bid results, escalation and unforeseen conditions could increase local contributions.

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Staff said they will return with more detailed graphics and timelines for community outreach and commit to posting renderings and interim-housing plans online. The board authorized staff to continue with design, permitting and procurement steps and to bring contract and bid awards back for formal approval as required.