Pomona Unified trustees review facilities master plan that lists more than $2.6 billion in needs; request more detail before approving projects

Pomona Unified School District trustees and staff spent a study session reviewing a facilities master plan and a proposed project list that the district said represents more than $2,600,000,000 in identified facility needs.

Superintendent Darren Knowles opened the presentation with consultants from LCC3 and SafeWork and told the board, "the need that was in the facilities master plan is over $2,600,000,000." He and staff repeatedly emphasized the list is a phased proposal, not a promise to complete every item.

The discussion matters because voters approved Measure UU to provide bond funding and the district is seeking state reimbursements under Proposition 2 to stretch local dollars. Brenda Garcia, program manager for LCC3, summarized the state program: "Proposition 2 was passed in November 2024 and this will allow us to continue, growing from the state bond program. And so to date, the district has been successful in obtaining $40,700,000 through that funding program from 2009 to current." Garcia also said the district has applications approved for about $78,000,000 more and that roughly $8,500,000 is expected to arrive before Dec. 30 of this…