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Board approves media-center reimagining projects at Navarette and Bologna elementaries using 2019 bond funds
Summary
Trustees voted 3–1 to award construction contracts for media-center renovations at Navarette Elementary ($1.825 million) and Bologna Elementary ($1.951 million). Projects are part of the district’s 2019 bond reimagining program and include ADA upgrades, HVAC and flexible learning spaces.
The Chandler Unified School District governing board voted on March 26 to approve two 2019 bond-funded construction contracts to reimagine elementary media centers at Navarette and Bologna (Bologna) elementaries, awarding work to W.W. White/Willmeng Construction under the district’s cooperative procurement arrangement.
Scope and costs
- Navarette Elementary: Renovation scope includes interior demo, new storefront doors and windows, ADA restroom upgrades, HVAC/fire system work, finishes and furniture to support flexible, collaborative and career-literacy learning spaces. Contract amount: $1,825,276.87. - Bologna Elementary: Similar scope — interior and exterior demo, storefronts, ADA bathroom upgrades, HVAC/fire-system work, immersive technology and makerspace infrastructure to support dual-language and career-literacy instruction. Contract amount: $1,951,283.04.
Board discussion and vote
Administrators said both projects were planned as part of the district’s 2019 bond program and reflect community- and site-based planning with architects and stakeholders. Trustees asked about measurable academic effects and return on investment; administrators said they will identify metrics over time and that the immediate goals include increased student engagement and career-literacy exposure that staff expect will support long-term academic outcomes.
Board member Kurt Rohrs raised concerns about spending bond dollars rather than preserving funds for infrastructure contingencies; Rohrs cast the lone “nay” on both motions. The contracts passed by 3–1 votes.
Why it matters: The projects convert traditional library space into flexible, career-literacy–oriented learning hubs with makerspace and STEM capacity, ADA upgrades and mechanical improvements. District staff said the work is intended to expand equitable access to project-based learning and early STEM/CTE exposure in elementary grades.
Funding and oversight
District staff said these projects were included on the 2019 bond capital project list previously approved by the board; administrators reported approximately $14 million of bond funds remain uncommitted and earmarked for safety and infrastructure needs. The contracts will move to procurement and construction; the administration offered to host tours of completed reimagined spaces for trustees.
Provenance: The Navarette discussion and vote occurred during the action-items portion of the March 26 meeting; the Bologna item followed and was approved by the board later in the same session.
