The Benicia Unified School district board on Jan. 16 reviewed schematic designs for Measure C–funded school modernizations and field upgrades and approved several architectural contracts to move design work into construction documents.

The presentations, led by Bond Director Roxanne Egan, covered schematic site plans and multi‑phase construction sequences for Mary Farmer Elementary, Robert Semple Elementary, Joe Henderson Elementary, Venetia High School’s performing arts building (PAB) and varsity fields, Liberty High School projects, and a proposed soccer field and six‑lane track at Venetia Middle School. Egan said the documents are schematic and will be refined through site‑level meetings, Facilities Master Plan Steering Committee review, and community open houses.

Why it matters: The projects are funded in part by Measure C, which Egan said passed nine months ago; bond and state grant funding will be used together to replace aging modular classrooms, upgrade HVAC and roofing, expand TK/K classrooms at some sites and build or upgrade athletic fields. The timeline presented targets completion of initial Measure C construction phases before the end of the 2024–25 school year for some sites and shows longer multi‑phase work for others.

Most substantive details:
- Mary Farmer Elementary: Schematics show removal of nine modular buildings, construction of permanent classroom buildings (three classrooms at each grade level in phased construction), a new restroom/storage building and re‑siting of the former softball field to enable permanent buildings without interim housing.

- Robert Semple Elementary: A phased replacement of seven classroom portables with new modular/prefab classroom buildings and a new parking lot to reduce congestion. Egan said field work beyond perimeter fencing would remain natural grass maintained by district staff.

- Joe Henderson Elementary: A multi‑phase modernization that relocates an aging F3 building, expands playgrounds and shade structures, upgrades restrooms, and adds outdoor teaching spaces. The district presented a proposed architectural contract (see actions below) to prepare construction documents and support DSA submission.

- Venetia High School PAB and varsity fields: Plans include a roughly 3,000‑square‑foot PAB expansion (lighting, expanded stage, HVAC, finishes and a reconfigured dance/drama area) and reconstructed varsity baseball and softball fields with artificial turf, batting cages, and up to 50 additional parking spaces. The architects’ materials note turf plus lighting infrastructure (lighting installation would be an additional future cost) and a shared practice field to reduce pressure on neighboring elementary sites.

- Venetia Middle School lower field: Proposed work would create a full‑size soccer field with a six‑lane track, an all‑gender restroom building, ADA parking, perimeter fencing and a small maintenance/storage container. The design does not include bleachers or lighting within the current budget; Egan said conduits and infrastructure for future lighting would be provided so lights could be added later without reworking the field.

Public comment and local users: Several local coaches, parents and youth urged the board to approve turf and year‑round playable fields. Benicia Middle School student Halo said, “none of the fields in Benicia are ready or good to play soccer…our fields have been torn and there's tons of holes in them.” Jesse Mueller, speaking for Benicia Arsenal Football Club, told the board a stable turf investment would let the city host tournaments and keep players local. Coach and resident Eli Nolan urged the board to plan a maintenance fund if turf is installed, saying upkeep can be costly in later years and recommending revenues be set aside for year‑10 replacement or repairs.

Board direction and next steps: Trustees asked staff to continue user‑group meetings (coaches and programs), to incorporate security and drop‑off considerations in site entries, and to return with refined cost and phasing details. Egan said the team will post materials on the Measure C website, add display boards at sites and hold open houses to collect community input.

Votes and formal actions taken at the meeting related to these projects are listed in the board motions roundup.