La Cañada Unified approves $333 million facilities master plan, hires pollster to test bond

The La Cañada Unified School District governing board on Tuesday approved a 2025 facilities master plan that lists campus-specific modernization, safety and new-construction projects with a combined planning estimate of about $333 million and authorized contracting a polling and outreach firm to test voter support for a bond measure.

The master plan, presented by Architects for Education, breaks the district's needs into site improvements, modernization and new construction. The presentation and accompanying cost estimates list rough planning figures of about $30 million for Palm Crest Elementary, about $61 million for La Cañada Elementary, about $38 million for Paradise Canyon (where construction from the 2017 bond is ongoing), and roughly $202 million for La Cañada High School; the presenter and superintendent said the sum of those buckets is about $333 million. The board voted to approve the plan and to contract Team Civics LLC to conduct community polling and help design a bond outreach program.

Why it matters: The plan is intended to provide a 20–25 year framework for prioritizing work such as replacing portables, upgrading HVAC and low-voltage systems, improving auditorium and athletic facilities, and addressing parking and drop-off safety. District leaders said the plan will be the basis for deciding whether to place a voter-approved bond before the community and for prioritizing projects if funding is secured.

Key details from the plan and meeting - The plan was developed with input from a 70-plus member Facilities Master Planning Committee, district staff and A for E (Architects for Education). Presenters emphasized that many items identified in earlier planning cycles have already been completed and that the 2025 plan updates needs tied to instructional goals and aging infrastructure. - Site examples discussed: larger two‑story classroom/specialty buildings at La Cañada Elementary to reduce portables; relocation and modernization of special education spaces at Palm Crest; completion of ongoing modernization at Paradise Canyon and upgrades to High School arts, applied technical and athletic facilities plus campuswide infrastructure needs (low-voltage systems, HVAC, kitchen and pavement repairs). - The board approved a contract with Team Civics and the subsidiary True North Research to conduct polling and community outreach to test bond feasibility and help craft potential measure language. The board will need to pass a subsequent resolution to place any bond question on a ballot; polling is intended to inform that decision. - Public comment raised questions about the plan's cost and local tax impacts. Resident David Haxton said the $333 million figure — and the additional property-tax burden it could create — will require clear messaging and careful polling before a bond measure is placed before voters.

Board action and next steps - The board voted to approve the 2025 Facilities Master Plan and to authorize staff to execute a contract with Team Civics to conduct polling, develop potential bond language and implement a public outreach campaign. District staff said the polling will determine whether to proceed and at what size, and they stressed that projects will be “racked and stacked” and refined as funding scenarios are developed.

Quotes - Superintendent Wendy Sinead said the plan was “instrumental in framing the idea of a bond for a community” and that community volunteers and the committee’s local knowledge produced plans she expects will “resonate with the community.” - Resident David Haxton said, “By the time things get built, it’s over $400 million,” and urged the district to clarify costs and tax impacts to voters.

Context and implementation notes The master plan is a planning document, not an authorization to spend bond proceeds. District officials said many design and cost estimates will be refined as the district and consultants develop a bond-sizing strategy. If the board later authorizes placement of a bond on a ballot, California law requires a 55% voter approval for school bonds. The district also noted it can scale or phase projects once polling indicates community capacity and priorities.

Ending District leaders said they will return to the board with polling results and a proposed bond resolution if the community testing demonstrates sufficient support; meanwhile the master plan will guide prioritization of facilities projects and inform subsequent design and cost refinement.