Pacific Grove board approves $78 million Measure B master project list for campus upgrades

Pacific Grove Unified School District trustees voted unanimously Feb. 5 to approve the district's Measure B master project list and associated $78 million budget, authorizing a multi-year program of safety, accessibility and modernization work across six campuses.

The board heard a 90‑minute presentation from assistant superintendent Josh Jordan and program manager Dustin (presentation began with an explanation of the master project list and stakeholder process). Dustin described a process that combined the approved facilities master plan, on-site gap analysis and community surveys to pare roughly 140 potential projects into the prioritized list. "We have $78,000,000 to apply to this list," he said, noting the package includes priority infrastructure work, site safety and ADA improvements, HVAC upgrades and classroom modernizations.

Why it matters: The approved list establishes how Measure B bond proceeds will be spent and creates the budgetary framework for project scheduling, bond series releases and public oversight. Board members and members of the public pressed staff on timeline, environmental impacts and accessibility.

Key details: The plan groups projects into priority tiers and reserves funds for swing space, program and escalation contingencies, and a catastrophic contingency. Jordan said priority-1 projects total about $30 million and emphasized safety and code compliance work such as fire‑life‑safety upgrades, ADA pathways and secured entry vestibules. Work will include site-specific items: playground and amphitheater work at Robert Down Elementary, HVAC and athletic field upgrades at the middle school, and classroom and plaza improvements at the high school.

Public questions focused on tree loss, landscaping and a $300,000 line item described in the packet as "planters" for the high‑school frontage. Board members and staff said the "planters" label represents an early budget placeholder tied to softer landscaping, hardscape and ADA path improvements rather than a single project; Assistant Superintendent Jordan said programming and design will refine the scope and that staff will return with design details before construction. "It was labeled as planters on the budget," one presenter said, "but that's an evolution of that discussion."

Project delivery and timing: Presenters said approval authorizes the master budget but not final designs; staff will produce a master schedule and cash‑flow plan to determine series releases and project phasing. Dustin said the overall effort will be rolled out over multiple years, with staff estimating a three‑to‑five‑year active delivery window depending on cash flow, state matching funds and swing‑space logistics.

Accountability measures: The district will publish project-level budgets and actuals online and work with a citizens bond oversight committee that meets quarterly. Staff said the district will use bond‑tracking software (BMet) and share regular reports with the board and public.

Next steps: With the board's endorsement, staff will move to project planning and design, bring site-specific designs and schedules back to the board, and begin the process of issuing bond series tied to project cash-flow needs. The board emphasized the list is a living document and can be revised via formal "bond list revision" if priorities change.

Trustees and staff pledged continued community engagement as designs progress and noted two open seats on the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for residents interested in monitoring the program.