Central Unified: New elementary school delayed as roofing issues, added classroom technology and PG&E schedule push completion to mid‑July

Board President Singh and district construction officials told the Central Unified School District Board of Trustees on March 25 that completion of the district’s new Colorado Elementary School has been delayed by a sequence of problems, and that the board should expect a mid‑July completion date if PG&E and weather hold to current schedules.

Director of Facilities Planning and Construction Management John Rodriguez told trustees that roofing work originally failed to meet manufacturers’ minimum height requirements because mechanical curbs were too low. That led to a change order, demobilization by the contractor and a cascade of postponed interior work — electrical rough‑in, mechanical, drywall and finish trades — that could not proceed until the roof was corrected. Rodriguez said the classroom‑technology scope was later expanded, which required additional electrical rough‑in before finish work could continue.

Rodriguez said PG&E tentatively scheduled permanent electrical energization for April 3 and natural gas for April 14; any delay in those dates would slow interior climate control work and therefore stall finishes such as cabinetry, flooring and doors. He told the board the project is currently on temporary power and that classroom furniture is due in May; playground equipment has arrived and is in storage. If the April utility dates hold, Rodriguez said the district’s current internal completion estimate would be mid‑July.

Principal Raul Diaz, the school’s founding principal, said staffing, registration and community outreach are under way for a school the administration expects to enroll more than 600 students. Diaz said the district and school staff are meeting weekly to coordinate staffing and community events tied to school opening.

Trustees repeatedly pressed administration on contingencies. Trustee Sedoo asked whether additional rainy days could push the schedule further; Rodriguez said weather and PG&E delays “go hand in hand” and that PG&E crews have rescheduled work multiple times. Trustee Kerfon asked for clarification on the April 3 energization date; Rodriguez said PG&E work typically starts late evening and runs into early morning and that removal of overhead poles would follow the energization date. Trustee Crio asked administration to return with a concrete contingency plan if April 3 slips; Rodriguez told the board staff would provide an update after April 4 so the district can begin contingency planning.

Rodriguez described other site impacts: city encroachment permitting delayed off‑site improvements and a needed revision to the traffic loop that interacts with a street signal; rain and mud increased schedule risk and led the contractor to add shifts and weekend work where possible. Rodriguez said the district has directed electricians to provide limited temporary power to acclimate rooms so some flooring and wall work can proceed while awaiting full permanent power.

Board members asked for regular updates. Trustee Crio asked administration to bring a status item back to the board after April 4 and to place an update on the April 8 meeting so the board and community would know whether the school will be ready for its planned start of the school year.

Ending: The board did not take a vote on the project; trustees directed administration to return with an update after April 4 and to place a status report on the April 8 agenda so trustees and the public can review any contingency plans if PG&E or weather cause further delays.