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After Pleasant Valley High fire, Chico Unified authorizes emergency procurement and selects architect for building D reconstruction
Summary
District staff told the board the April 25 fire was confined to the D building; staff announced the building is structurally unsafe, an investigator is on site, and the board approved emergency procurement authority, selected HMC for DBU reconstruction and approved contract awards to move Inspire's school project forward.
Chico Unified trustees were updated May 14 on the April 25 fire that damaged the D building at Pleasant Valley High School and approved several immediate steps to accelerate restoration and reconstruction.
District deputy Jacqueline Krueger told the board the fire was "successfully contained to just the D building" and that a cause/origin investigator would deliver a report within about 30 days. She said the district is finalizing a safety plan — shoring roof trusses and walls — to permit interior restoration work and noted the district carries insurance for the loss.
Board members then considered a series of emergency and contracting steps intended to keep reconstruction on an expedited schedule. The board approved a resolution declaring an emergency to allow expedited procurement of restoration services and replacement equipment; staff said the authority is intended to bridge the board’s regular meeting schedule so critical technology and construction items can be ordered without delay to meet a summer timeline.
Separately, the board selected HMC Architects to lead the D‑building reconstruction work because the firm has recent campus experience and familiarity with the State Architect rebuild process. The board also approved a guaranteed project cost of $33,916,954 for Inspire School of Arts & Sciences’ new campus (Modern Building Company), a vote taken later in the agenda as part of Measure C project approvals.
The emergency procurement resolution requires staff to report to the board at each regular meeting on actions taken under the emergency authority. Trustees said they expect continuing updates about the investigator’s findings, insurance negotiations and a schedule for repairs or replacement.
No timetable for full occupancy was given; Krueger said the district will provide more specific timelines after structural shoring and the investigator's report are complete.
Actions at the meeting included unanimous board votes to adopt the emergency declaration and to select the reconstruction architect.
