Board gets update on Memorial Middle/Sierra Vista rebuild; project estimated near $62 million with state partnership

Superintendent Sandoval told the board March 31 that the district received formal phase‑one approval from PSFA/PSCOC for the Memorial Middle School/Sierra Vista combined campus project and described next steps for planning, demolition and construction funding.

The superintendent said the total project cost is estimated at $61,877,000 and that the district’s proportional share was described in the presentation as 47% of the total; administration reported the district’s phase‑one planning and design share at approximately $2.3 million. Demolition for the existing 120,000‑square‑foot facility was estimated in the presentation at about $3.6 million (rough estimate at $30/sf), and administration said demolition may be reimbursed by the capital outlay commission in the formal PSCOC/PSFA process.

Sandoval outlined the district’s local funding components: bond proceeds of $7 million set aside, mill levy receipts (noted ~$833,000), and cash on hand (reported ~$1.5 million). The superintendent said the district will need to seek waivers and state funding for later construction phases because the district cannot fully fund the district share of the total project; she said the district expects to present for Public School Capital Outlay Commission review in May and begin RFPs for architectural services after required approvals.

The superintendent also reviewed enrollment trends: the district has experienced long‑term decline (presented as ~34% since 2015) and current enrollment reported at about 1,022 pupils, with roughly a 60‑student decline year‑to‑year noted in discussion. Sandoval said administration intends to right‑size the new facility (presented as ~80,360 sf for the combined campus) to the district’s enrollment projections.

Board members asked about demolition costs, PSCOC reimbursement, and an anticipated schedule. Sandoval said planning and design work could be complete within a year, demolition could start in the fall, and construction might follow with an overall target opening around 2029, subject to approvals and funding. The board was advised that the district will return with additional financial planning and RFP selection steps.

The board directed administration to proceed with next steps through PSFA/PSCOC processes and to continue refining financial options and public presentations as the project advances.