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San Marcos Unified plans $105M Woodland Park rebuild; sixth graders to be bused to San Marcos Middle for one year
Summary
District staff outlined a three‑phase, $105.2 million Woodland Park modernization and said the least disruptive option is to relocate Woodland Park sixth graders to San Marcos Middle for 2026–27; transportation will be provided at no cost and an informational meeting is scheduled Jan. 26.
The San Marcos Unified School District on Dec. 11 outlined plans to modernize Woodland Park Middle School in a multiyear project budgeted at $105,200,000 and said the district will relocate Woodland Park’s sixth‑grade cohort to San Marcos Middle School for the 2026–27 school year to minimize disruption and keep the project on a three‑year schedule.
Assistant Superintendent Erin Garcia described the site as ‘‘long and narrow’’ with steep elevation changes that limit temporary on‑site housing. After studying multiple options — keeping sixth graders at feeder elementary campuses, adding portables, and moving eighth graders — staff and the contractor determined that moving a single sixth‑grade cohort off site for one year best preserves instructional continuity and the project timeline, which targets completion in August 2028.
The district plans to operate the relocated cohort as a Woodland Park satellite at San Marcos Middle, keeping students in classroom cohorts with Woodland Park teachers and providing Woodland Park‑run counseling and extracurricular access. Garcia said the district will provide shuttle transportation “at no cost” and will hold an informational meeting for families on Jan. 26 at 5:30 p.m.
Contractor Nick Novak of Losardi Construction explained the rationale for a three‑phase build and emphasized efforts to minimize the time any student spends in an active construction zone. The district identified HMC Architects as the project architect and Losardi Construction as general contractor; construction is already underway on early site work.
Board members asked detailed logistical questions about daily schedules, lunch, passing periods and administrative coverage; district staff said site administrators are working through those operational details and will solicit parent input through a posted FAQ and a feedback survey sent Dec. 5. Garcia said Woodland Park administrators will visit the satellite site regularly and that families may pursue normal transfer options if they choose.
The board received the presentation as an informational item; staff will continue planning and present follow‑up materials for families and staff in the coming weeks.
