Rocklin Unified outlines $7.1 million plan for one‑time safety and facilities projects

Rain Karnitsky, the district’s interim senior director of facilities and maintenance, presented the board with a plan for $7,100,000 in one‑time funds that the trustees approved in May 2025 and described how those dollars will be distributed across schools.

Karnitsky said $1,500,000 of the total was earmarked specifically for safety projects — new cameras, site visitor management systems, safety training, speed bumps and directional signage — while the remaining $5,650,000 would be allocated to all sites for facilities improvements identified by local stakeholders. "Out of the total allocation of 7,100,000.0, funds have been strategically distributed across all sites," Karnitsky said.

The district used a multi‑factor allocation model to determine per‑site funding, Karnitsky said, including site type (alternative, elementary, middle, high school), enrollment and average daily attendance, site age, and the unduplicated pupil percentage (English learners, foster youth, low‑income students). He described approximate per‑site funding ranges: the alternative education center receiving about $100,000; elementary schools between roughly $150,000 and $415,000; middle schools $335,000–$400,000; and high schools $500,000–$575,000.

Karnitsky gave examples of requested projects: shade structures, playground replacements, digital marquees, outdoor learning furniture, murals, bike enclosures, an expanded outdoor CTE slab for fabrication at Rocklin High, a motor‑sensory inclusive play area at Sunset Ranch, and gym/stadium improvements at high schools. He said the district has already expedited purchases for smaller items such as heavy‑duty umbrellas and picnic tables.

On funding status, Karnitsky reported that, as of February 2026, about $4,420,000 — roughly 78% of the onetime facilities allocation — has been approved or committed to specific projects. He also noted a PTC matching program: the district commits up to $10,000 per site in matching funds when parent‑teacher councils raise money. "Within our community, 13 sites have collectively raised an impressive $130,000 on top of this budget amount," Karnitsky said.

Trustees asked several follow‑up questions about feasibility reviews and projects deemed infeasible. Karnitsky said some proposals were not pursued because they would trigger Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements or effectively require rebuilding a structure; those projects would exceed the available allocation and be addressed in a different planning process. On timing, Karnitsky said primary execution is targeted for calendar years 2026 and 2027 and that project numbers are assigned after final business‑department review so costs can be tracked.

Board members praised the focus on community engagement and the use of site‑level input to prioritize work, and several asked for before‑and‑after photos as projects are completed. Karnitsky said he is documenting work and will provide updates to the board.

What happens next: sites submit requests through the district’s centralized platform, the facilities team completes feasibility reviews (cost estimates, ADA constraints, practicality), the business department performs a final review, and approved projects are assigned project numbers and scheduled for procurement and installation. The board did not take additional formal action at the meeting; the presentation served as the district’s public update on project selection and status.

Sources: presentation to the Rocklin Unified Board of Trustees by Rain Karnitsky at the board meeting.