Pomona Unified approves solar and real-estate deals, declares several sites surplus; rejects Harrison grade reconfiguration

Pomona Unified School District Board of Education members approved multiple facilities and property actions and rejected a proposed reconfiguration of Harrison Elementary during the April 16 regular meeting.

The board voted to approve a facilities agreement for Southland Industries to install solar at Diamond Ranch High School and approved a separate facilities amendment for LCC3 Construction Services, authorized the district to seek proposals for several surplus properties, and accepted an offer to sell a district-owned building to MCE Packaging Inc. The board also declined to approve a staff recommendation to relocate Harrison Elementary School’s seventh- and eighth-grade students to Emerson Middle School.

Why it matters: the approved contracts and the declaration of surplus property give the district options to advance energy and campus expansion projects and to monetize assets that staff say could fund capital work. The rejected Harrison reconfiguration underscores community concerns over enrollment, transportation costs and the future of small neighborhood campuses.

Key outcomes (votes shown as recorded at the meeting): - Facilities Agreement Amendment No. 2 (LCC3 Construction Services Incorporated, agenda item 7.09): motion passed (vote recorded by clerk as 3 in favor, 2 against). No individual roll-call names were given on the transcript for this motion. Staff described this as an amendment to existing construction services agreements. - Facilities Agreement (Southland Industries — Diamond Ranch High School solar, agenda item 7.14): motion passed, 4 in favor, 1 against. - Consent calendar (items 3–8, except pulled items): approved unanimously, 5–0. - Designation of Board of Education Clerk (agenda item 9.02): approved, 5–0. - Minutes (regular meeting 03/12/2025 and special meeting 03/07/2025): approved, 5–0. - Relocation of Harrison Elementary School seventh- and eighth-grade students to Emerson Middle School and reconfiguration of Harrison to TK–6 (agenda item 9.03): motion failed, 3 no, 2 yes. - Cohabitation/consolidation of John Marshall Middle School and the School for Extended Educational Options (SAO) on the Marshall campus (agenda item 9.04): approved, 3 in favor, 1 against, 1 abstention; staff described a phased implementation. - Alternative proposal to create a 7–12 configuration instead (agenda item 9.05): motion failed (recorded as 5 no), so the 9.04 approach will be pursued if implementation proceeds. - Resolution No. 27, declaration of surplus real property (multiple sites including San Antonio Elementary, Diamond Pointe Elementary, Palomares Academy, adult school property and portions of Village at Indian Hill indicated): approved, 5–0. The resolution authorizes staff to seek proposals for sale or lease and to pursue any required waivers with State Board of Education processes. - Real estate purchase and sale agreement (property sale to MCE Packaging Inc., agenda item 9.08): approved, 5–0. District staff said proceeds would support campus expansion work, including a proposed purchase behind Cortez Elementary.

What the board said: district staff framed the facilities and property approvals as steps to leverage assets for needed campus improvements and to meet renewable‑energy goals. The board debated transparency, bidding and local input before several votes; one board member urged that projects be put out to competitive bid regardless of procurement rules said by staff.

Next steps: staff said surplus‑property actions launch an extended public RFP process (the district’s “7-11” advisory commission work was cited), that SAO’s transition to Marshall will be phased to allow program and facilities planning, and that sale proceeds may be applied to Cortez Elementary expansion if the board approves purchase of a neighboring parcel.