District outlines middle school modernization options and targets draft EIR for March 2025

District facilities staff and program managers provided a detailed update on Measure G projects and options for middle school modernization, including potential interim housing and alternative sites under evaluation.

Sandrine Hitchcock of AECOM summarized the planning timetable and agency coordination, saying the district expects to publish the draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the middle school project in March 2025 and will extend the public comment period to 45 days. "We are currently expecting the report to be available or published to the public, in March 2025," she said.

The presentation listed alternatives that will be analyzed in the draft EIR: the no-project alternative; renovating or partially modernizing the existing middle school; reusing Edna McGuire (which could require closing or relocating one elementary site); using Edna as interim housing while building a permanent campus on the existing site; and consideration of private sites and district-office relocations. Staff emphasized the project will go through the Division of the State Architect (DSA), the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, fire and sewer agencies and the California Department of Education as required.

Facilities staff also reported on playground inspections and near-term maintenance: a third-party inspection company recommended parts and replacements; the district has completed work orders for items the maintenance team can handle and is procuring parts for other repairs, with larger replacements slated for summer project windows, budget permitting. The board was briefed on the sequencing: preliminary assessment reports and sampling results due early January, draft EIR in March, potential notice of determination in August and planning for construction activity beginning after clearance.

Staff said they will continue community meetings and bring the sampling and preliminary assessment findings to a subcommittee and the full board for discussion before advancing major design or construction procurement steps.