San Marino Unified outlines Measure M project priorities, sets May 27 for bond authorization

San Marino Unified School District officials on Tuesday presented a phased plan for projects funded by Measure M and said they will return to the board on May 27 with the bond-issuance resolution and draft sale documents.

The district’s study session on May 13 focused on project prioritization and bond financing for Measure M, a voter-approved bond measure totaling $200 million. Presenters recommended pursuing early-impact work — including replacement playgrounds at Carver and Valentine elementaries, targeted HVAC replacements, roof assessments and repairs, campus security fencing and restroom modernizations — while phasing larger high-school athletic projects to later issuances to limit interim housing and construction escalation costs.

District staff framed the priorities as a strategy to maximize student impact while protecting bond buying power. "I do want to emphasize the term study session," said Stephen Choi, district staff, introducing the meeting and stressing the board’s role in providing guidance. CJ Nolan, the district’s Measure M bond program manager, said the approach aims to “mitigate interim housing and escalation” so savings can be redirected toward tier 2 projects at the high school.

Why it matters: Measure M proceeds will pay for classroom modernizations, safety and infrastructure work across five campuses. The district must balance near-term needs (safety, TK/K…