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Paradise Valley officials present Indian Bend Elementary rebuild plan, cite structural defects and tight timeline
Summary
District staff told the governing board that Indian Bend Elementary has multiple aging and potentially hazardous building systems and recommended a full rebuild using bond funds. The district outlined procurement steps, a temporary relocation plan and a target schedule to reopen a new school in fall 2026.
Paradise Valley Unified School District staff on Thursday presented a plan to rebuild Indian Bend Elementary School, identifying structural, roofing, HVAC, plumbing and accessibility deficiencies and recommending a full rebuild funded from the district’s voter-approved bond program.
“Building A was constructed in 1972,” said Miss Berrigan (Facilities staff), listing the campus’ three main structures and the ages of each. She told the board that some problems are current, such as leaks and foundation settlement, while others are likely given the buildings’ age. “This campus … has the highest number of deficiencies and the most severe level of those deficiencies,” she said.
District staff detailed problems the board should consider: foundation cracks and settlement, sagging or degraded roofing and roof membrane failures, aging HVAC equipment and duct work, antiquated plumbing and electrical systems, worn interior finishes, potential asbestos or lead-based-materials concerns in older construction, limited outdoor traffic and pickup/drop-off congestion and ADA access shortcomings.
Miss Berrigan said the district set aside $120 million from the bond for three school rebuilds (two elementary schools and one middle school), and that Indian Bend is first in line. She described procurement steps: selection of an architect via a cooperative contract list (1GPA), a request-for-qualifications process for a construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) and then a guaranteed-maximum-price (GMP) negotiation.
The district proposed temporarily housing Indian Bend students at the nearby former JPL (James P. Lee) campus during construction. “Students during a remodel or a rebuild could be bused to the former JPL campus, pending some changes,” Miss Berrigan said; the campus is less than one mile away, she added.
A preliminary schedule the staff presented would select an architect in spring 2025, continue design through the summer, construct in fall 2025–spring 2026 and open the rebuilt school in fall 2026 — an aggressive timeline that staff said is achievable. The CMAR procurement and design will include community engagement on design features and planning.
Board members asked clarifying questions about health risks, transportation and community engagement. “Have any staff members or students complained about respiratory or headaches?” asked Mrs. Christiansen, noting the campus’ high free-and-reduced-lunch population and concern for vulnerable students. Miss Berrigan replied that many items are potential deficiencies that do not present imminent danger, and that the district addresses safety issues as they arise. The campus was listed as 79% free and reduced-price meals.
Board members also queried whether placing students at the JPL campus could create transportation delays. Staff said the district has used similar temporary campuses for prior rebuilds and would plan daily shuttles and minor campus modifications to adapt JPL for K–6 use.
If the board directs staff to proceed with procurement, the district will advertise RFQs, assemble a selection committee and begin community engagement and design work, staff said.
Miss Berrigan and district administration stressed the priority on safety and code compliance alongside modernization and access improvements; the board did not take a final vote on procurement during the meeting but moved the proposal forward for the next steps in the bond-funded rebuild process.
