School officials in Glendale, California, are planning the next stages of development under a $2.2 billion plan to upgrade, modernize and renovate facilities across the city’s schools.
Earlier this month, the Glendale Unified School District Board approved a new Facilities Master Plan that includes $2.2 billion in various infrastructure needs across the district.
The plan was created after community input, a review of enrollment trends, an assessment of facilities’ conditions and determinations about how these facilities can best provide a high-quality learning environment into the next decade.
A private consulting firm contracted by the district said Priority 1 of the plan would total $578 million. Plumbing, HVAC, roofing, electrical panels, ADA compliance, kitchen and restroom fixtures, fire and safety systems, public address and bell systems, exterior doors and windows, electronic door hardware, paint and siding would take up $420 million of the budget.
An additional $118.5 million would demolish and reconstruct Pacific Avenue Preschool and replace bungalows with more permanent structures.
Beyond the bigger ticket items, the plan uses $11 million to address vestibule entry security upgrades and library updates, and to reconfigure spaces like new career technical education, visual and performing arts and counseling and support areas.
Parking needs, landscaping and play areas improvements estimated at $2 million round out the initial phase.
PBK concluded that the first phase of the plan should target modernization, as some of the facilities date back more than a century. Additionally, enrollment trends indicate an overall modest decline during this time period, and modest growth is projected on the high school level.
While the district has not requested funding, the board is considering a $690 million bond measure and has commissioned a private firm to gauge voter support. Firm partners said that educational outreach about the needs of the district would be critical for the measure to pass. With a looming Aug. 7 deadline to qualify for the November ballot, a decision on pursuing a bond proposal should be soon.
Photo by Zetong Li from Pexels
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