Board selects PBK for Pajaro Valley High performing-arts center; $24.5M project planned

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District board approved staff’s recommendation to contract with PBK Architects to design a new performing‑arts center (PAC) at Pajaro Valley High School.

Chief Business Officer Gerardo Castillo described the PAC as a top priority in the district master plan, with a total budget of $24,500,000 and a recommended architect fee of $1,900,000 (about 8% of project cost). Castillo said the solicitation began in December and that PBK scored highly on design, budget management and scheduling. He said design work would begin after board approval and that staff expected project completion in June 2028 so the class of 2028–29 could use the facility.

PBK representatives Lance Kutz (managing senior principal) and Daniel de la Garza (design director) presented a concept that preserves the project footprint while increasing seating capacity to about 420, adds a lobby suitable for community use, backstage and support spaces and campus-facing exterior treatments intended to display student artwork.

Trustees praised the design and expressed eagerness to see community input during design development. The board approved the contract selection in a recorded vote (four trustees in favor, none opposed, two absent). No contract signature was completed at the meeting; staff said next steps would include finalizing the agreement and beginning community input and design development.

The board also asked staff to maintain transparency about project costs, systems (lighting and sound) and community outreach as the design phase progresses.