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Measure S update: OUSD staff outline projects, descoping steps and $56.5M of uncommitted facility funds
Summary
District staff gave a SMART Plan update describing Measure S progress, recommended descoping at El Medina to mitigate unforeseen costs, and reported roughly $56.5 million in uncommitted facility funds across deferred maintenance, bond interest, developer fees and state matching funds.
District staff presented a detailed update on the SMART Plan (School Modernization and Renovation for Tomorrow) and Measure S bond projects, giving trustees an overview of completed phases, unresolved change orders and the current funding picture.
Ms. Salima Holguin (business services) reviewed deferred maintenance and the facilities master plan, noting that while several high-school phase 1 and 2 projects are complete, Almadena/El Medina has encountered hazardous-material abatement, low-voltage and underground utility challenges that increased costs. The district is vetting a contractor credit and is recommending a deductive change order to descope the administration building for now so the work can proceed within budget; the board was asked to consider that action when the credit is formalized.
Ms. Vasquez summarized Measure S history and allocations: the 2016 bond raised $288 million with an equal $72 million allocation intended for each of the district's four comprehensive high schools. Bond interest earnings (about $15.69 million) are available for Measure S purposes under the ballot language. Holguin reported balances for key facility funds and uncommitted amounts as follows: deferred maintenance uncommitted ~ $1,552,456; bond interest restricted to Measure S uses ~ $15,691,000; developer fees (capital facilities) uncommitted ~ $870,097; state matching funds uncommitted ~ $33,714,469; and a special reserve for capital outlay with roughly $4,687,417 uncommitted, for a combined total of approximately $56,515,520 in uncommitted facility funds.
Trustees asked whether interest earnings can be applied to sites with negative balances to cover overruns or to fund phase-3 options. Staff confirmed interest is available within Measure S ballot constraints and may be spent district-wide at the board's discretion; bond counsel review will be used on marginal eligibility questions. For Almadena, staff estimated a potential contractor credit in the order of $1.2M to $2.0M under review; a precise figure will come with the formal change order.
Field repairs at Canyon and Villa Park were discussed: an early baseline estimate provided in meeting remarks was about $2 million for field repair, but staff is negotiating with architects to provide a formal budget and will return to the board for direction.
Ms. Holguin closed by summarizing next steps: bring a deductive change order for El Medina admin descoping, return with phase-3 project recommendations tied to available Measure S interest and site budgets, and present information on the Villa Park pool and field repair estimates.
"The bond was thoughtfully structured to ensure equitable distribution among our four comprehensive high schools," Ms. Vasquez said, and staff emphasized that remainder funds require careful prioritization because the facilities master plan's estimated need is near $1 billion.
Next steps: staff will bring the vetted contract credit/change order for board consideration and will provide the architect budget for field repairs when available.
