Board approves CEQA exemption for Lexington Elementary after trustees press for cost details
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Summary
Trustees approved a CEQA notice of exemption for a two‑story Lexington Elementary replacement building but several trustees sought more detailed cost and bond‑allocation information before moving forward; motion carried 4‑1 with one abstention.
Pomona Unified trustees voted Nov. 12 to approve a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Notice of Exemption for the proposed two‑story Lexington Elementary School replacement project, allowing the district to move into the next phase of development. Superintendent Darren Knowles told the board staff had evaluated the project and determined it to be categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines sections 15302, 15304 and 15314.
Several trustees praised the long‑awaited project but pressed staff for more transparency about scope and costs. Trustee Jimenez and another trustee said the board had received limited detail on project costs and that a project of significant scale warranted clearer budget figures. One trustee acknowledged overstating a figure earlier in discussion and asked for precise dollar amounts; trustees referenced the project range discussed internally from roughly $60 million to higher speculative numbers and noted that, under the current bond, that amount would represent a sizable share of bond funds.
In response, board members and staff said the project had been part of earlier bond planning and that architecture and environmental contractors (PBK and Michael Baker) had been engaged. Trustee discussion emphasized the importance of providing community‑level detail to maintain public trust even while moving forward with promised campus upgrades. The board approved the CEQA action by a vote of 4 in favor, 1 abstention.
Why it matters: The vote clears a procedural environmental hurdle so the district can proceed with planning and funding steps for Lexington Elementary, but trustee requests for explicit budget figures signal continuing oversight questions about how bond funds will be allocated.
What’s next: Staff said the district will proceed with the next phase of development and will file and record the CEQA notice of exemption. Trustees asked staff to provide detailed project cost breakdowns to the board and community as planning continues.
