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Carlsbad Unified to fund deeper soil probe at Sage Creek High; trustees press for transparency as costs rise
Summary
After staff reported ongoing soil movement at Sage Creek High School, the board approved contracting a focused slot‑cut geotechnical investigation funded by developer fees; trustees asked for clearer reporting after staff said an additional $295,000 would be committed on top of prior authorizations.
Carlsbad Unified trustees on Feb. 11 heard district facilities staff describe escalating soil‑movement concerns at Sage Creek High School and approved immediate investigative work funded from developer fees rather than bond Measure HH.
Rob Nye, the district's facilities director, told trustees the geotechnical team from Studio WC will begin a focused “slot cut” adjacent to the 4000 Building to examine concrete bending and subsurface slippage. Nye said the board will be asked to authorize an additional $295,000 for excavation and testing and that the work will be paid from developer fees, not Measure HH bond funds.
"This work will be conducted by Studio WC and will be funded through developer fees, not Measure HH bond funds," Nye said while outlining the scope and timeline. He said monitoring wells already installed across campus are providing data and that the geotechnical team hopes to deliver a diagnostic report within a few weeks.
Trustees pressed staff on safety and cost. Trustee Rawlings said she was "concerned about the escalating costs" and described visible slippage in the visitor parking lot that nearly caused her 87‑year‑old father to trip. "It just seems to be getting worse and worse," she said, asking for transparency on how much the district will ultimately spend.
Trustee Verbeath asked whether the $295,000 is above funds previously authorized; Nye confirmed the new slot‑cut work is in addition to about $175,000 previously committed, which together approach roughly $400,000 in developer‑fee spending on the investigation to date. Nye said staff believed the original $175,000 was included in earlier budget documents but that he would verify the accounting.
On immediate safety measures, Nye said maintenance and operations are issuing work orders and that areas with tripping hazards will be caution‑taped and alternate paths provided. "There are certain areas that are caution taped off until we can actually come in, pour new concrete," he said.
Trustees suggested the item be pulled out of the routine contracted‑services consent list so it can be discussed separately as an action item next month and requested that staff keep the board and public informed as new costs or priorities emerge. The consent motion to approve contracted services with item 11 removed passed earlier in the meeting by roll call (motion 5‑0).
Next steps: Nye said trustees can expect the geotechnical diagnosis in March, followed by an action plan for remediation. Meanwhile the district will continue site monitoring and short‑term safety measures.
