San Marino outlines $200M Measure M implementation plan; board approves two architects and bond accounting software

San Marino — At its Aug. 26 meeting, the San Marino Unified School District presented a detailed implementation plan for Measure M, the $200 million facilities bond the district passed last year, and the board approved related professional agreements to begin design and financial oversight.

Dr. Steven Choi, assistant superintendent and chief business official, and bond program manager CJ Nolan walked the board through a phased strategy designed to front‑load high‑cost, escalation‑sensitive projects and to pursue supplemental state funding. The plan divides bond work into three phases: Phase 1 (2025–28) focuses on immediate, high‑value projects and early wins; Phase 2 (2029–33) addresses elementary and middle school modernizations using classroom capacity created in Phase 1; Phase 3 (2034 and beyond) reevaluates remaining priorities and possible athletics/arts upgrades.

Key Phase 1 projects presented: a new two‑story classroom building at Valentine Elementary (seven general‑ed classrooms, four elective labs, wellness center, shade), a new transitional‑kindergarten and kindergarten building at Carver Elementary (five TK, two new K, three modernized K), and a modernization of the San Marino High School medical‑arts/classroom building to support CTE programs, ADA upgrades and perimeter security. CJ Nolan said the program set aside roughly $66 million (about one‑third of the bond) to cover cost escalation, interim housing and unforeseen conditions, leaving $138 million for tier‑1 priorities.

Nolan provided project budgets and contingency projections for the major Phase 1 work: Valentine classroom building — construction budget about $21.9 million with $5.6 million soft costs and a projected $6.7 million contingency savings; Carver TK/K building — construction budget about $15.0 million with projected $3.7 million contingency savings; San Marino High School medical arts modernization — construction budget about $14.1 million with projected $6.1 million contingency savings. The plan also lists early‑impact items (playground replacements, shade structures, synthetic turf and track, stadium lighting, district roof replacements) totaling roughly $6.5 million.

To move design forward, the board voted to approve architectural services agreements: West Group Designs for Carver Elementary’s TK/K building, and Huckabee (formerly Racklin Architects) for the San Marino High School modernization. Both firms were recommended for having experience with fast‑track projects and complex modernizations; board members asked about price structure, sliding‑scale fees tied to estimated construction cost, and clauses that require redesign if bids exceed budget thresholds by a specified margin. The motions to approve both architect agreements passed on roll call (all voting board members present voted aye).

The board also approved a contract for Key Analytics, a web‑based bond accounting and program‑tracking system. District staff said the software will provide the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee and the public transparent, web‑accessible reporting, and will integrate with county financial systems. The initial 12‑month implementation and subscription was presented along with a modest allowance for additional support services; the board approved the purchase after questions about monthly costs and optional modules.

District staff presented potential sustainability and site‑specific ideas during Q&A, including solar shade structures for playgrounds and possible stadium improvements. Nolan said preliminary solar designs exist for all sites and the Carver playground shade structure is a candidate for solar panels.

Actions taken: the board approved architectural services for Carver and the high‑school modernization and approved Key Analytics for bond financial management (roll‑call votes with unanimous aye vote by board members present). Nolan said additional procurement (survey, geotechnical, general‑contractor lease‑leaseback RFQs, inspector of record, testing labs, CEQA consultant) will follow as designs advance.

Why it matters: Measure M will fund multi‑year construction and modernization projects that change classroom capacity, site circulation and capital planning; the board’s approvals allow design and procurement to progress toward construction starting in 2026.

What’s next: design work will begin under the approved architect agreements; staff will return with refined cost estimates at key design milestones and bring bids and GMPs back for board approval.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified in the meeting transcript.