Community center plan at former Bayer site draws criticism as speakers say promised school was replaced; district shows design and cost changes
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Summary
District staff showed renderings and said about 4,666 extra square feet would cost roughly $8 million as it presented the Bayer Community Education and Resource Center design; neighbors said the former elementary site was promised as a school and objected to the conversion.
The San Ysidro School District updated the board on the Bayer Community Education and Resource Center project and faced sharp public criticism from residents who said the site was promised as a school. Assistant superintendent (name not specified in the transcript) reviewed renderings of a Spanish‑style community center, said the project is in the design stage, and said the district must add roughly 4,666 square feet to accommodate family‑resource operations and additional program space; staff estimated the added construction would cost about $8,000,000.
Why it matters: The parcel in question was the former Bayer Elementary site, which speakers said was demolished in 2012 and that voters approved bond measures (Measures T and U) in 2020 with language they said included a school. Community members and the San Ysidro Community Planning Group said converting the site to a community resource center repeats a pattern of broken promises and risks failing future students as the area adds housing and families.
District presentation and rationale: The assistant superintendent said Measures T and U explicitly referenced the former Bayer site in ballot language (t8/u8 and t9/u9) and that the district has engaged in more than two years of community involvement and oversight through a bond oversight committee. Staff presented a February 2024 survey result they said showed 78% community support for a community center. The district described program needs: family resource spaces, medical referral rooms, storage for clothing and food, and room for more than 40 community partners to deliver services.
Public comment and pushback: Roxanne Palacino (San Ysidro Community Planning Group secretary) and other speakers opposed the project as presented, saying families were promised a school and the district did not adequately engage the broader community before deciding to pursue a community center. She cited the 2016 grand jury report that criticized district facilities management and said the community needs classrooms given new housing and projected enrollment growth in coming years.
Cost and schedule issues raised: Staff explained the bulk of the added cost stems from higher contemporary construction unit costs (unit prices have risen substantially; staff noted per‑square‑foot construction pricing increases) and that the requested additional scope is needed to house district administrative functions and family‑resource operations. Staff connected the design update to agenda item 14 d 11, which addresses the authorization for additional design/authorization steps.
What happened at the meeting: Board members queried the survey methodology and asked for the raw survey data; staff said the bond approval percentages can be checked with county records (Measures T and U passed in the high 60s/low 70s percentage range). The transcript shows public comment and staff Q&A; the project remains in the design stage and the transcript does not show final board approval of the additional funds during the excerpt provided.
