Santa Rosa board approves design‑build contract for new District Office and Education Center at Ridgeway

The Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously June 25 to award a design‑build contract to replace the aging District Office and to build an Education Center at the district‑owned Ridgeway site.

Interim Superintendent Dr. August said the project will provide “a 50‑ to 100‑year facility” with improved efficiencies, lower maintenance costs and the potential to reduce general‑fund operating costs through energy‑saving features. Program staff described the plan as the district’s most practical option after examining alternatives such as retrofitting closed school campuses.

Why it matters: board members and district staff said the existing District Office has reached the end of its useful life, has become a maintenance and safety concern and costs the district continuing rent for interim space. Trustees framed the project as part of a multi‑year facilities plan tied to bond and state matching funds and said a permanent facility will consolidate departments and support district operations.

What the board discussed: program manager Brian Cameron and construction manager Ray Green (program management team) walked trustees through the design‑build delivery process and explained cost drivers for both new construction and heavy modernization. Green and others explained the Department of State Architect (DSA) rule commonly cited as “IRE B‑4,” which requires mandatory structural upgrades if a modernization project’s cost exceeds 50% of replacement value; that rule, staff said, can make modernizing an old school as expensive or more expensive than new construction.

Trustees pressed staff about price changes from previous estimates. Trustee Dela Torre noted that a prior master plan figure had been roughly $100 million and asked why the current number presented to the board was substantially lower; staff responded that the scope had been refined and some components (notably a relocated early childhood element) were being handled separately. Interim superintendent August said staff had refined the program to reduce cost while preserving key operational needs.

Public comment: several district staff urged the board to approve the Ridgeway plan. Mary Lehman, a district technology assistant, described the current District Office property as a neighborhood liability and told trustees that the move would support more efficient staff training and restore a public meeting space now paid for by renting outside venues.

Vote and next steps: Trustee Rosie Medina moved approval of the staff recommendation (option A) to build the District Office/Education Center at 211 Ridgeway; Trustee Dela Torre seconded. The board approved the design‑build contract by roll call (ayes recorded from trustees present). Staff said the contractor’s schedule could meet the district’s timeline and that the contract includes allowances and contingencies typical for design‑build delivery. The project team will return to the board with final contract documents, furniture and other non‑construction costs that were not included in the construction contract.

Speakers quoted or summarized in this article were identified in the meeting transcript as: Interim Superintendent August; Brian Cameron, Program Manager; Ray Green, Construction Manager; Trustee Rosie Medina (mover); Trustee Dela Torre (second); and Mary Lehman (public comment).

Ending note: Staff said they will seek state school facilities matching funds for portions of the program and will post project updates to the district’s bond program website as the contract enters the construction phase.