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Committee hears proposal to tear down and rebuild Benecue school; parents raise pollution and green‑space concerns
Summary
Caldwell Flores Winters recommended a full rebuild of Benecue (Bennett Q) as part of the Facilities Master Plan; committee members and parents questioned environmental proximity to I‑105, construction impacts (temporary portables) and urged community town halls before moving forward.
At the Aug. 14 Facilities Advisory Committee meeting, Caldwell Flores Winters’ conceptual Facilities Master Plan recommendation to demolish and rebuild Benecue (referred to in the meeting as Bennett Q/Benecue) drew sustained discussion from committee members and parents.
Staff outlined a recommended full teardown and rebuild that would replace existing permanent and portable buildings with a two‑story classroom building (18 classrooms), a separate TK/K building, a larger gym/multipurpose room, a media center and new administration and support spaces. The proposal was described as conceptual and not currently funded.
“CFW’s recommendation is basically an entire tear down of the existing campus and a rebuild,” Chair Jordan Miles said, asking the committee for feedback on whether to recommend full reconstruction versus modernization.
Committee members and parents raised practical concerns. Brandon Myers asked whether CFW took into account pollution from the adjacent I‑105 freeway. Miles and staff said environmental and setback requirements would be evaluated during the design phase and that an architect and environmental studies would be required before siting or construction.
Several speakers said the community needs town halls and direct engagement before any decision. A parent who spoke during the meeting described the school’s back gate and trash‑collection area as blighted and urged repairs and improvements even before any larger reconstruction.
Staff noted Benecue may be eligible for additional state modernization funding because the campus is more than 75 years old and has not received modernization funding in the past 25 years. If the district sought full reconstruction, staff said a range of implementation approaches are possible — from phasing work with portables on‑site to seeking funding that would allow a more comprehensive schedule.
No funding decision was made. Staff said committee feedback would be submitted to CFW and the administrative draft will return to the committee in November for additional review.
