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Lawndale outlines facilities projects, safety upgrades and bond funding sources
Summary
The superintendent reviewed completed and planned construction projects, safety investments (weapon-detection system, K9 unit) and explained that capital work is funded through local bond measures (Measure CL, Measure L and Measure EE).
Superintendent Virginia Castro provided attendees with an overview of facilities projects, safety upgrades and how those projects are funded.
Castro said the district uses voter-approved bond measures to fund facilities and safety upgrades, naming Measure CL (technology and safety), Measure L (construction) and Measure EE (facilities). She explained that bond funds come from local property-tax measures and that districts must follow a regulated public-bid process when hiring contractors.
On safety, Castro said the district installed a weapons-detection system called ZeroWise and that the district deploys a K-9 at the middle school named Buddy to detect prohibited items. She said the systems had been effective in identifying items on campus and that some interventions turned out to be non-harmful items (for example, water guns) but nonetheless showed the detection systems working.
Facilities work described included a two-story classroom building in progress at Rogers, a new Roosevelt playground planned, completed playgrounds at Mitchell and Twain, and the completed Rogers administration building. Castro said the district is replacing chain-link fencing and installing digital marquees at sites; she identified Anderson and Adams as already upgraded and listed Twain, Smith, Greene, FDR and Mitchell as slated for replacement.
Castro described procurement: construction contractors are selected through a government bidding process; by law the district is generally required to accept the lowest responsive bid and manage change orders when project costs exceed initial estimates. She urged community members to ask questions about bonds at future board meetings and noted the district maintains a citizen oversight committee for bond funds.
Castro asked parents to raise concerns about contractor behavior with principals and the district and said the district would investigate complaints and follow appropriate protocols.
