Parents and arts advocates press district on theater storage and space as facilities report outlines building projects

Parents, ArtQuest representatives and teachers urged Santa Rosa City Schools trustees on Aug. 27 to secure long‑term, on‑site storage for Santa Rosa High’s theater arts program and to address broader space and program shortfalls after school consolidations; facilities staff outlined current and planned construction and said some site solutions are possible but may require additional approvals.

What community members said

Amy McCoy, a parent and ArtQuest advocate, told the board that Santa Rosa High’s theater program has been moved repeatedly and is currently using basement space the speakers said is historically prone to flooding. “Students and staff have already lost thousands of dollars in materials and continue to risk the loss of irreplaceable costumes and props,” McCoy said. She requested a secure, on‑site storage solution and asked the district to commit to that space for at least five years.

Bobby Haleslip, a Friends of ArtQuest board member, said the displaced storage and workspace had reduced students’ class time and that off‑site storage options are impractical because they would limit access and increase costs. Haleslip said the basement space proposed for storage is moldy and flood‑prone and urged the district to find a safer solution.

Margaret Boone, another public commenter, raised related concerns about space at multiple campuses after consolidation, noting missing air conditioners, insufficient special‑education (ESN) classroom bathroom access, crowded art rooms and the loss of culinary and music facilities at some sites.

Facilities update and district response

Facilities staff presented the department’s annual facilities report and described completed and upcoming projects. The district reported roughly $420 million remaining in Measures C and G funds and said it expects about $46 million in state funding for capital projects already applied for. Recent completions include a new two‑story Montgomery campus building, which the district plans to mark with a ribbon cutting on Sept. 19, and a central receiving warehouse that has opened.

Staff said major upcoming projects include two‑story classroom construction at Pioneer High School (groundbreaking scheduled Sept. 24), TK classrooms at the former Santa Rosa Middle site for the French American campus and other TK expansions. District‑wide projects in progress include electronic access control upgrades that will continue into the next year, fencing and campus modernization work.

On the ArtQuest storage request, facilities staff said some on‑site storage options exist but that local site administrators would need to work with program staff to identify appropriate space and logistics. Staff noted any relocation of portables or installation of new portables still requires Division of the State Architect (DSA) approval and appropriate design work, which can be completed quickly but still requires formal steps.

Portables and timing

Facilities staff said the district owns some portables at campuses such as Brook Hill that could be relocated to sites in need, but the district must complete DSA submittal and approval before moving and using them; staff estimated a quick process could allow use by the following summer. Trustees asked staff to follow up quickly on portable availability, ESN classroom bathroom access and locker needs raised by commenters.

What’s next

Facilities staff said they will follow up with Santa Rosa High administrators on ArtQuest storage options and will coordinate with site administrators about locker, PE and space needs created by consolidation. Trustees asked staff to publish community engagement dates for master‑planning meetings this fall and to report back on the ArtQuest storage issue and the trenching/study outcomes for Hidden Valley and Procter Terrace.