Benicia Unified board approves $14.1M high‑school fields project and authorizes next bond sale
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Summary
Trustees awarded a $14,125,000 contract to JWALT Construction for new artificial turf fields, concessions and lights at Benicia High School, approved a related stormwater maintenance agreement with the city, and adopted a resolution authorizing up to $65 million in general‑obligation bonds to finance district construction projects.
The Benicia Unified School Board on Dec. 19 approved a package of facilities actions to upgrade Benicia High School’s athletic complex and advance other capital projects.
Trustees voted to award the high‑school fields contract to JWALT Construction for $14,125,000. The scope includes new artificial turf for baseball and softball, a third all‑purpose field, dugouts, a restroom and concession building, a new parking lot, infrastructure work and Musco lighting. Construction is planned to begin in January 2026 and finish in December 2026, according to district staff.
"The bids were competitive," facilities staff said, noting the work is intended to address current Title IX inequities and free up space at another elementary site for future upgrades.
Board members also approved a needed stormwater treatment measures maintenance agreement with the City of Benicia. The agreement — required when the district ties new stormwater infrastructure into the city system — includes a filtration system and a maintenance plan; legal counsel reviewed the contract language and staff confirmed the district’s maintenance team could carry out the work.
To fund the projects and other planned construction, the board adopted a resolution authorizing district staff to proceed with the sale of up to $65 million in general obligation bonds, the second series from the 2024 voter authorization. A district finance advisor said staff sized the sale based on current assessed value, tax rate caps discussed during the election, IRS spending‑down rules and prevailing interest‑rate assumptions.
"We looked at your assessed value, current interest rates and the $60 per $100,000 tax rate cap approved by voters," the advisor said, explaining the staff recommendation for an up to $65 million issuance. The motion authorizes staff and the finance team to complete the financing at market pricing.
What happens next: Execution of the construction contracts and the stormwater agreement will proceed under district project schedules. The bond sale will be completed by staff and the finance team; proceeds will flow to the district’s authorized project list under statutory and voter conditions.
Reporting note: Contract awards and bond authorizations were made by formal vote; exact contractor names and dollar amounts are taken from the staff presentation and motions recorded in the meeting transcript.