Atascadero Unified approves Measure B24 program-management amendment and hires architects for summer projects

The Atascadero Unified School District board on June 16 approved a contract amendment with Kitchell and awarded architectural agreements to PBK, Omni Design and KBC to begin work on Measure B24 facilities projects this summer.

Board members voted to shift Kitchell’s role “from the project implementation phase to the project management phase” as campus projects move from design toward construction, a district spokesperson said. Kitchell representatives told trustees the near-term focus is compressed: schematic and construction documents must be advanced so some projects can be in DSA review by early to mid-November to meet a target for spring construction.

Randy of Kitchell described the workload and staffing plan: “This summer leading into the fall is going to be very busy…we are proposing two full‑time PMS during this summer leading to the end of the year and then reducing to one person for the winter and spring,” he said, noting the firm will help with SD, DD, CD estimates and review guaranteed maximum price proposals from lease‑leaseback contractors.

District facilities staff and architects outlined project scopes that prioritize building envelopes and safety: PBK will design a Santa Rosa Academic Academy modernization to repair water intrusion, address MPR heating/cooling and replace damaged plaster; Omni Design will focus on the Tascadero Middle School gym, locker rooms and roof replacements to remedy long‑term water and HVAC deficiencies; and KBC will handle San Gabriel improvements, including the multipurpose room kitchen (to serve as interim food‑prep while the high‑school kitchen is renovated), ADA access work and selective removal of failing relocatables.

Mr. Lloyd, the district facilities lead, emphasized the priority is safety and keeping sites “dried in” before tackling higher‑ticket items. Trustees asked about scope elements, including communications and public dashboards, relocatable removal, canopies/covered‑walkway work and new bottle‑filler stations; Lloyd said scope details will be refined through schematic design and the implementation plan.

All contracts and the Kitchell amendment were approved by roll‑call votes. Staff said the program will use bond proceeds already authorized by voters and that some projects may be eligible for state matching funds depending on building eligibility.

Next steps: architects will refine scope through schematic design, Kitchell will assist with GMP reviews as lease‑leaseback contractors are brought on, and the district will return to the board with details and budgets as schematic design and DSA timelines solidify.