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District reports major classroom moves and modernization progress at Cathedral City, Landau and Sunny Sands
Summary
The board received a construction update: central plant work and HVAC replacements at Cathedral City High School (ESSER funds), and classroom modernizations at Landau and Sunny Sands elementary schools funded by bonds and other sources. Staff said nearly 75 classrooms were moved over two weeks in July and projects remain on budget.
Julie Arthur, executive director of facilities planning and development, told the board on Aug. 26 that the district has advanced three major modernization projects and moved scores of classrooms over the summer to open new permanent spaces.
Arthur said Cathedral City High School Increment 1 — a central plant replacement and campus utility loop paid with federal ESSER funds — is about 99% complete and in commissioning. "That's something that this central plant can actually do on that," she said, describing new HVAC units that connect digitally to diagnostics. Increment 2 at Cathedral City includes classroom renovations and HVAC work in the 100–700 wings; staff said that portion is funded with bond proceeds and the budget for the modernization is $75,000,000.
Landau and Sunny Sands elementary schools are in the district's next wave of modernizations. Arthur said increment 1 at Landau covered classrooms, library and office replacements and that 23 classrooms and five counselor offices were moved into new spaces in July. Sunny Sands saw a similar two‑story classroom building and 23 classrooms moved into permanent space.
Operations and logistics
Arthur said the district and contractors coordinated a complex summer schedule: "In the last two weeks of July, we moved almost 75 classrooms." She credited information‑technology and facilities staff for equipping new rooms (phones, ViewSonic displays, access control badges and network connections) and confirmed the projects are on budget. "We are on budget. We are not asking for any new money," Arthur told the board.
Contractors and managers named in the presentation include West Coast Air Conditioning (Cathedral City central plant), DLI Architects, Bernards Construction (Landau and Sunny Sands), PBK (architect) and project managers Kent Hems and Ernie Dominguez.
Why it matters
The shifts replace portable classrooms with permanent space and add updated HVAC, which the district said will improve building performance and pupil experience. Board members asked about neighborhood complaints; Arthur said early parent and community feedback has been positive, with one unrelated complaint about a blue flashing light at a camera.
Board actions tied to construction
During the meeting the board approved multiple construction items on the consent and action agenda, including change orders and contract administrations for modernization and renovation projects. Specifically the board approved:
- Change order number 1 with Bernards for the James Workman (Yen Warner Mirror School) modernization (agenda item 15i). - Change order number 1 with R Dependable Construction Inc. for the Nelly Cosman Mirror School locker room renovation (agenda item 15j).
Arthur closed by thanking staff and listing the teams who supported the moves and technology set‑ups.
What’s next
Arthur said new buildings at Landau and Sunny Sands are planned to be completed in 2026 and the district will continue site coordination as the projects move toward occupancy.
