Pomona Unified School District trustees on Nov. 7 directed staff to develop detailed scopes, schedules and budgets for a prioritized set of Measure UU projects, with the immediate emphasis on health, safety and security improvements.

The district’s presentation by Mr. Knowles and representatives from LCC 3 and consultants described a conceptual project list to be converted into planned projects that will return to the board for formal approval. "Tonight, we're going to present the list of proposed projects, and then, again, as we develop the scope, the project schedule, and the budget, those items will come back before the board for an approval," Mr. Knowles said.

Why it matters: The board’s direction starts the detailed design and budgeting work needed before the district can issue construction contracts. Trustees said they want projects sequenced to match available bond issuance money and to avoid spending on sites that may be consolidated.

What staff proposed and the board’s direction

- Fire alarm upgrades: Staff identified a first‑phase package of fire alarm work across elementary schools and gave a conceptual estimate of about $15,000,000 for the package. The board asked for third‑party verification of system condition and code compliance, citing evolving technology and Title 24 code changes; Ed Cunningham (LCC 3) said industry practice often plans for replacement or major updates on a roughly five‑ to six‑year cycle. The board gave consensus for staff to return with scope, schedule and budget for the fire‑alarm list.

- Playgrounds and shade structures: Staff recommended playground equipment replacement and ADA path‑of‑travel measures. Board members emphasized vendor criteria that allow replacement parts (rather than whole‑unit replacement) and requested that shade structures be included in scoping. Trustees gave consensus to move the playground list to detailed scoping.

- Lorber Middle School cafeteria: Staff recommended a feasibility study to determine whether to renovate and add HVAC to the existing multipurpose/cafeteria or demolish and build a new conditioned structure to eliminate daily meal transport from Ganesha High School. The board requested 3‑D renderings and square‑footage comparisons and gave consensus to study both options and return with costed alternatives.

- High school gyms: Proposals included HVAC, new floors, bleachers and fire sprinklers at selected high school gyms (Gary and Diamond Ranch among those listed). Trustees instructed staff to include lifecycle and maintenance planning so floors and bleachers are not replaced twice, and gave consensus to develop scopes and budgets.

- Security enhancements: Staff proposed continued roll‑out of access control and PA systems. Trustees asked staff to explicitly include security cameras and to evaluate alternative announcement/PA platforms (for example, phone‑based or Cisco‑type classroom systems) that could be less expensive and more flexible than traditional hard‑wired PA systems. The board gave consensus with the added direction to consider cameras and alternative PA solutions.

- Asphalt, drainage and site repair: Staff outlined an assessment method (core sampling vs resurfacing) and identified candidate sites; trustees requested that Alcott (including its annex) be added to a districtwide asphalt condition report and included in near‑term repairs if the assessment warrants it.

- Electrical/plumbing/water systems: Staff named high‑priority sites for utility work and said the phase‑1 list targets the most urgent systems. Trustees asked staff to cross‑reference these recommendations with any consolidation planning and to seek alternative funding sources where possible.

- Golden Springs expansion and portables: Staff proposed growth and replacement of portables at Golden Springs. Trustees pressed for a consolidation list (requested to be available in December so decisions can be made in January) and raised concerns about prior consultant work and any funds already spent; the board directed staff to proceed with planning while coordinating consolidation timing and reviewing prior expenditures.

- Career and technical education (CTE) and transitional kindergarten (TK) support: Staff recommended modernization of Fremont’s manufacturing lab and TK expansion at sites without appropriate facilities. Trustees asked staff to pursue alternative non‑bond funding sources for CTE (federal/state grants, legislative appropriations) but kept the projects on the bond list so they can move forward if outside funds do not materialize.

- Portables in storage: Staff reported several portables in district storage are in poor condition and cited a rough demolition estimate (staff noted about $250,000 to demolish some stored units). Trustees directed staff to finalize an evaluation, stop long‑term storage where appropriate, and return with a removal plan and cost estimate.

Process and next steps

Board members agreed by consensus on a meeting process: staff will present each slide/list one at a time, take board direction on that slide, then return later with a formal action item that includes scope, schedule and budget. Mr. Knowles said the team will prepare project scopes and bring action items back for approval; the staff also intends to present a mandatory five‑year plan at a subsequent meeting (staff noted a target presentation date of Dec. 10 to follow the study session).

Requests for additional reports

Trustees asked staff to return with several follow‑ups before final approvals, including: (1) the district’s consolidation list or the prior consolidation recommendations for review (requested for December/January), (2) an executive summary on the condition of portables, (3) a maintenance (M&O) study session on custodial/grounds capacity and maintenance schedules, (4) a districtwide asphalt condition report and (5) an issuance/fees breakdown and timing for future bond series. Staff acknowledged the requests and agreed to provide the materials.

Attribution and sources

The account above is based on the district presentation and on board discussion recorded during the Nov. 7, 2025 Measure UU facilities priorities study session. Direct quotes and paraphrases in this article are attributable to meeting participants who spoke on the record: Mr. Knowles (staff lead), Ed Cunningham (LCC 3), Sarah Garrett (consultant), Alex Quito (SafeWork), and board members identified in the transcript.