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Sequoia Union lays out $491 million Measure W schedule and delivery options as East Palo Alto Academy requests classrooms first
Summary
District staff presented Measure W project schedules, budgets and three construction delivery methods; officials defended escalation assumptions and procurement rules while an East Palo Alto Academy teacher urged portable classrooms and prioritizing classroom space for vulnerable students.
Sequoia Union High School District staff on Wednesday detailed how the district plans to spend a $491 million bond approved in 2022 and explained three construction delivery methods officials may use for Measure W projects.
Chief facilities officer Nayan told the board the bond program was phased to reduce campus disruption and to reflect buildability assessments. "The major W Bond program was approved in 2022 and the amount was $491 Million," Nayan said, and described phased schedules for roofing, new classroom buildings, athletic fields and modernization work stretching from 2024 through 2030 depending on approvals from the Division of the State Architect.
Assistant Superintendent Gong and district consultants explained the trade-offs among design-bid-build, lease-leaseback and design-build models. Gong said design-bid-build is price-driven with limited early contractor input, lease-leaseback allows earlier contractor involvement and certain financing structures but is subject to validation rules, and design-build creates a single team responsible for both design and construction.
The presentation also called out legal and procurement constraints: presenters referenced Davis v. Fresno Unified School District when outlining how lease-leaseback procurements now require public solicitation and how financing affects validation and legal challenges.
Trustees asked about rising cost estimates and the district's 5% annual escalation assumption. Nayan said the midpoint-of-construction estimates reflect a 5% escalation rate used industry-wide and additional site-specific factors such as demolition and abatement, while acknowledging actual escalation could be higher or lower.
During public comment about the facilities master plan, Laura Nunes, a teacher and East Palo Alto Academy resident, urged that classroom space be prioritized for EPAA students. "Portables are a cost-effective solution that should be prioritized immediately," Nunes said, saying teachers are sharing classrooms and students lack dedicated prep space.
District staff responded that project timing depends on DSA approvals and site logistics; several projects (roof replacements, swing-space portables, new classroom buildings and athletic projects) are in programming or early design, with bidding and construction windows staggered to limit disruption.
The board did not take action on specific contracts Wednesday; staff said further design, value-engineering and procurement planning will come back to the board for approvals and that trustees will have opportunities to weigh priorities as designs and cost estimates are refined.
The board asked staff to bring more detailed cost breakdowns and solar feasibility analyses for future board review.
