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District previews Tahoe Lab residential prototypes at Rideout; partners pledge support and $100,000 bunk‑bed grant
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Summary
Administrators and teachers described prototype overnight outdoor‑education programs at the Rideout facility and plans to scale a residential Tahoe Lab; partners and foundations pledged support, including a $100,000 grant for bunk beds from Excellence in Education Foundation.
District staff and partners presented a year‑two update on the TTUSD outdoor‑education strategic plan and prototypes for the Tahoe Lab and residential outdoor school at the Rideout facility.
Chief Technology Officer Ed Hilton (who is also leading the initiative) and lead teacher Susie Bates described work groups that created a TK–12 vertical articulation curriculum aligned to science and California’s environmental principles, plans to green schoolyards, and a coalition model to coordinate partners and reduce duplication. Hilton said the district convened 45 work‑group members from local partners including Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (SWEP), Headwaters Science Institute, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center and California State Parks.
Work group 4 tested a prototype 2‑day, 1‑night program in April with more than 75 students, parent volunteers and high‑school counselor leaders. Staff are planning a 3‑day, 2‑night prototype for all sixth graders at Alder Creek and North Tahoe in October, and are preparing Rideout’s rooms, phones, food service logistics and transportation. The board heard that Excellence in Education Foundation provided a $100,000 grant for bunk beds, a contribution district staff called a “game changer.”
Partners and public commenters supported the district’s direction but urged coordination to avoid duplicating existing community programs. Rachel Pringle, president of the Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships board, requested close collaboration so community providers and the district can align schedules and grants. Trustees and presenters said partners are included in work groups and staff will continue to coordinate with local providers to limit overlap and keep district students prioritized for programs.
Staff characterized the Rideout/Tahoe Lab work as a prototype phase focused on equity (ensuring all TTUSD students can access programs), curriculum alignment, and sustainable operations. No board vote was required; trustees thanked staff and partners and asked for continued updates as prototypes scale.
