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District outlines $39 million summer construction plan and multi-year school improvements
Summary
San Rafael staff briefed the board on an expansive set of building projects planned for summer 2025 across the elementary and high school districts, including playgrounds, new HVAC and fire alarm systems, new multipurpose building at Davidson Middle School and multiple solar installations.
San Rafael City Schools staff presented a broad facilities update April 21 outlining more than $39 million in planned work scheduled for the summer 2025 window and additional multi-year projects.
Capital projects planned this summer include playground replacements and shade structures at Coleman and Bahia Vista elementary schools; installation or major trenching to support new HVAC and fire alarms at Glenwood, San Pedro and Sun Valley; a new multipurpose room raised on piles at Davidson Middle School; improved athletic fields and striping at Davidson and San Rafael High; and several solar (PPA-financed) arrays at high school sites. District staff said the scope of work spans nearly every site and will rely on a large, concentrated crew presence and careful neighbor and parent communications.
Why it matters: The district is spending voter-approved bond proceeds and related funds to modernize sites, improve life-safety systems, expand usable fields and add shade and play areas. Staff emphasized the projects align with the district’s strategic goals and address long-standing deferred maintenance and instructional-space needs.
Timeline and constraints: Staff said some projects would extend into the school year because of permitting and transformer lead times; Glenwood mechanical and power work, for example, requires a PG&E transformer with a long lead time. District staff said summer 2025 activity will be intense, with work staged to limit disruption to summer school programs where possible. Trustees and staff discussed contingency planning for construction noise, temporary office moves and the need for ongoing community outreach.
Budget and financing: The district plans a $27 million bond sale for the high school program in the near term and continues to evaluate a similar issuance for elementary projects. Staff said the cost-of-issuance remains lower than the escalation that could result from delaying work; board members asked staff to thank the construction teams and maintenance crews for the heavy workload.
