Anaheim Union High School District reports Measure K progress, project timelines and state funding applications
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Summary
The district reported progress on its $496 million Measure K bond program, saying Series A proceeds funded early work, $21 million had been spent through Dec. 31, and the district is pursuing state matching dollars from Prop 2 and Prop 51 while preparing procurements and community outreach for major sites.
The Anaheim Union High School District on Jan. 18 detailed progress on Measure K, the $496 million facilities bond voters approved in November 2024, and described near-term project schedules, state grant applications and community engagement plans.
"We passed a bond in November 2024 in the amount of $496,000,000," Executive Director Patty Neely told the Board of Trustees, saying the bond was structured in three series. Neely said the district planned a $180 million Series A sale but reported the actual Series A proceeds were on the order of about $100 million, with roughly $3 million in interest earnings and other adjustments added to the program account. She said roughly $21 million had been spent through Dec. 31, allocated across consultants/soft costs, construction, district project management, furniture/fixtures/equipment and bond administration.
Why it matters: the bond's tax-exempt status requires specific spend-down rules. Neely told trustees the district met an early requirement to place at least 5% of proceeds into binding contracts within the first six months, and said the program currently stands at about 12% spent; the district must reach 85% of proceeds and earnings spent within three years to maintain tax-exempt treatment on the series.
Projects and timing: Neely gave a campus-by-campus status report. Near-completion items include the Anaheim High Cook Auditorium (punch-list work, a public event scheduled for later this month) and maintenance packages at Orangeview. She said the Cook Auditorium also received a $2 million federal grant she identified as coming through U.S. Congressman Luke Correa. Active construction includes HVAC work at Ball (expected May 2026 completion) and Loera (one-year schedule toward October 2026). South Shore and Gilbert site-improvement projects began in January with multi-million-dollar budgets and Cal Fire greening grants of just under $2.5 million helping extend scope.
Athletic fields and CEQA: the district plans four artificial-turf, all-weather track fields at several high schools (Catella, Kennedy, Loera and Savannah, plus Magnolia later). Neely said stadium scope generally includes restrooms, lighting and single-sided bleachers with capacities ranging from about 900 to a larger venue (Savannah projected about 2,500 seats). She warned trustees that adding lights and bleachers triggers California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review at some sites; the district is completing CEQA studies and will hold neighbor meetings to determine whether a notice of exemption, mitigated negative declaration or environmental impact report (EIR) is required.
Large projects and design competitions: Walker Junior High School was highlighted as a potential $66 million modernization and new-construction project that would span all three bond series; Neely said programming and a possible design competition could start in March 2026, with construction anticipated in early 2029 and completion in 2031 under current cash-flow assumptions.
State funding: Neely reviewed the district's applications to the state's school facility programs (Prop 51 and Prop 2). She said $74 million in state funds had been received, about $103 million was pending, and the district remains in line for additional matching grants but noted the statewide need is large and funding rounds are competitive.
Board questions and community engagement: Trustees pressed for details on how projects were prioritized, how the master plan (adopted in 2022) informed selections, and how the district will notify and work with neighbors. Neely said priorities came from an updated master plan and repeated site meetings with principals, leadership teams and maintenance staff; she confirmed the master plan contract cost $90,000. On neighbor outreach, Neely said CEQA-driven public meetings and mitigation planning will precede construction and noted the district phases work to preserve campus operations and accessibility for students and families with disabilities.
Other operational notes: Neely described electrical "switch-gear" upgrades at 19 solar sites that will require board ratification of change orders to capture installed equipment. She also explained "legacy" Division of the State Architect (DSA) applications from the 1990s that must be closed to clear certification paths for new projects; the district reported two remaining legacy items, one nearing closure at Western and one at Anaheim High.
Next steps: Neely said the district will release a solicitation for a program/construction management firm imminently, with board approval planned in March; the district will later advertise architect/engineer selections and proceed with design competitions for major modernization projects. Trustees did not take formal votes on the items presented; the board then moved to closed session.
