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Board approves soil testing at Palm Elementary after community concerns; $13,800 contract awarded
Summary
Following public concern about possible site contamination, the board approved a $13,800 contract with B2 Environmental to perform soil testing at Palm Elementary and also approved a separate $459,200 contract for a conflict‑resolution program.
The board approved contracting with an environmental firm to test soil at Palm Elementary following sustained public concern and requests from community members and trustees.
Trustees and several speakers noted a history of contamination issues in the area and asked the district to commission independent testing rather than rely only on prior vendor timelines. District staff presented a proposed agreement with B2 Environmental for a not‑to‑exceed amount of $13,800 to sample and analyze soil at the Palm site; trustees approved the contract. Board members said the cost was modest relative to the need to confirm whether the site is safe. One trustee pointed to an upcoming California Department of Toxic Substances Control meeting on July 30 as an opportunity for further public engagement.
At the same time the board approved a multiyear contract with Western Justice Center Foundation to provide conflict‑resolution education across schools (not to exceed $459,200), a program union and community speakers had also mentioned as relevant to student safety and climate.
Why it matters: Soil testing addresses citizen concerns about environmental safety at a school site; independent sampling can influence decisions about student placement and remediation. The contract for conflict‑resolution programming represents a district investment in behavioral supports the board framed as complementary to safety and climate work.
What’s next: District staff will schedule the environmental sampling work and report results to the board; trustees and community groups anticipated additional public briefings tied to state agency meetings.
