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Board approves modular classrooms, funding steps for Lee Andersen Education Center
Summary
The Merced County Board of Education approved four resolutions to plan, fund and exempt from CEQA the construction of two modular classrooms at the Lee Andersen Education Center, including a 90-day waiver, SAB application, interfund borrowing, and a Notice of Exemption.
The Merced County Board of Education on Aug. 18 approved a package of actions enabling the planning and construction of two modular classrooms at the Lee Andersen Education Center.
By separate unanimous votes (4-0, Rodrigo Espinosa absent), the board adopted Resolution No. 2025-27 to file a 90-day waiver for the district’s Five-Year Plan, Resolution No. 2025-28 authorizing a State Facility Program application to the State Allocation Board (SAB), Resolution No. 2025-29 approving interfund borrowing from the General Fund and State Facility Program savings to cover planning and construction costs, and Resolution No. 2025-30 finding the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and authorizing filing and recordation of a Notice of Exemption.
County Superintendent Steve M. Tietjen presented the items and described them as necessary steps to secure state funding and bridge timing gaps in the facilities budget. The board approved the measures in separate motions: the 90-day waiver motion was moved by Geneva Brett and seconded by Ryan Heller; the SAB application was moved by Ryan Heller and seconded by Geneva Brett; the interfund borrowing motion was moved by Frank Fagundes and seconded by Ryan Heller; and the CEQA exemption motion was moved by Geneva Brett and seconded by Frank Fagundes. Each motion carried 4-0.
The resolutions together authorize staff to pursue state funding through the SAB application process, temporarily reallocate local funds to cover upfront planning and construction costs, and complete the required CEQA paperwork for a Notice of Exemption. The board’s actions set the project to move into planning and permit stages; staff will proceed with the SAB submission and record the Notice of Exemption as required.
