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BOC hears progress report on Palisades fire recovery; district to front-fund rebuilds and seek insurance/FEMA reimbursement
Summary
Chief Facilities Executive Christina Tes told the committee the district has nearly 1,938 active projects valued at $9.5 billion and is front-funding Palisades recovery work with bond proceeds (about $600M), to be reimbursed largely by insurance (coverage $500M) and FEMA. Bidding for the Palisades projects is slated for March 2026.
Chief Facilities Executive Christina Tes presented the district’s 2026 bid look-ahead and an update on recovery work after the Palisades wildfires.
Tes said the district currently manages roughly 1,938 active projects with a combined value of about $9.5 billion; approximately half of those projects are in pre-construction while around $4.88 billion are under construction. She said the three Palisades-impacted campuses (Palisades Charter High School, Marquez Charter Elementary and Palisades Charter Elementary) are among the largest near-term bid priorities and that the district expects to put those projects to bid in March 2026.
On funding, Tes said the district has front-funded Palisades reconstruction with bond proceeds "approximately over $600 million" and anticipates reimbursement from insurance and FEMA. She said the district’s insurance coverage limit is $500 million and FEMA will cover costs beyond insurance; Tes cautioned that federal and insurance reimbursements are processed on a like-for-like rebuild basis and that FEMA application and reimbursement timelines typically extend into 2027 and beyond.
Tes explained phasing at Palisades Charter High (temporary portables for returned students, remediation of buildings cleared for occupancy and later permanent reconstruction), Marquez (complete rebuild after total loss) and Palisades Elementary (repair plus new construction). She noted environmental testing, HVAC and water testing, and other remediation measures were completed for buildings cleared for occupancy. The district plans to submit construction documents to DSA in the spring and to bid in late 2026; Tes said DSA has agreed to expedite reviews in this case.
Committee members asked what percentage of costs FEMA and insurance would cover; Tes said it is too early to give a final percentage but that insurance plus FEMA should cover a substantial portion once claims and bids are finalized. Member Monica Carlos raised concerns about delays and community communication on a separate accessibility project at "CART/CARE" Elementary (an elevator installation and removal of mature trees); Tes acknowledged soils remediation caused delays and said the district would follow up to ensure communities receive regular updates.
Tes concluded with a forward look at large projects planned for 2026 and 2027, including green schoolyard upgrades, playground and athletic improvements, and a mix of design-build and design-bid-build procurements.
