Board approves $1.62 million remodel of Curriculum Services Center to consolidate district offices

The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board unanimously approved a $1,617,049 contract award on April 23 to remodel the district's Curriculum Services Center (CSC) as part of a planned consolidation of administrative facilities.

District staff presented the project as phase one of a broader consolidation strategy to move staff from multiple aging administrative buildings into CSC, address HVAC and code-compliance issues and remove asbestos left from 1970s construction. Mr. Moore, the presenter, said the work would be funded from the school plant fund, which the district said derives from long-term lease revenue and is separate from M&O or state capital buckets.

Mr. Moore told the board the remodel primarily addresses safety and code compliance and is expected to produce long-term efficiencies by centralizing administrative operations and reducing duplicate overhead. He described an expected two-week asbestos abatement beginning immediately upon approval and an overall construction timeline completing in summer to early fall to allow staff moves.

Board members pressed staff on funding choices and the tradeoffs of spending on administrative facilities versus student-facing capital projects. Staff said vacating and selling or leasing other administrative properties could recoup funds in the long term and that the district is sensitive to community expectations that bond and override dollars be used for student-facing projects.

The motion to award the contract passed with five ayes. Board members asked staff to keep the board informed as vacated properties proceed to sale/lease discussions.