Board delays vote on SFUSD 10-year capital plan after members request deeper review

SAN FRANCISCO — Trustees agreed to postpone action on the San Francisco Unified School District's draft 10-year capital plan after questions from several board members about scope, assumptions and timelines.

Chief Facility Officer David Golden briefed the board on the plan, which inventories school buildings, deferred maintenance and potential near-term projects and estimates nearly $900 million in needs to modernize the district's remaining 75 structures over 10 years. Golden said about $200 million of that total represents previously authorized bond funds that had not yet been spent.

Several trustees asked for more site-level detail and documentation explaining how past estimates grew to current figures. Commissioner Feuer said she was "a little uncomfortable approving this plan without a more in-depth discussion" and requested an augmented Buildings & Grounds committee review or a Committee of the Whole session before a final vote.

Board action: Commissioner (speaker 5) moved to postpone adoption until the board meeting on Dec. 8 to allow for committee review; the motion was seconded and consensus was recorded to continue the item to December.

Why it matters: The capital plan frames bond timing, potential parcel-tax proposals and spending priorities that could be brought to voters in the coming years. Golden said proposed funding sources include state matching grants, a potential 2011 bond, remaining 2006 bond sales, Mello-Roos/parcel tax renewals and developer fees.

Next steps: Golden agreed to provide committee members with site-specific timelines and an historical accounting of prior estimates; staff will present an augmented committee review (Committee of the Whole planned Nov. 18 if feasible) before the Dec. 8 board meeting.

Sources: Presentation and Q&A with David Golden at the SFUSD board meeting; board motion to postpone adoption.