Category Archives: School facilities

Vallejo school district agrees to sale of Grant school – Times-Herald

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By Chris Ramirez

The former Grant School has been sold to the City of Vallejo for potential future development on the site.

The Vallejo City Unified School District owns two unused properties that the city is intent on purchasing. The Vallejo City Council voted last week to agree to the sale of both properties, prompting Wednesday’s school board vote on two resolutions that would accept those terms.

VCUSD’s board of education unanimously voted to sell the Grant School, built in the 1980s on a 2.63-acre property. The district sold the site for free because both options of renovating the current structure and rebuilding would cost more than its $300,000 appraisal.

Source: Vallejo school district agrees to sale of Grant school – Times-Herald

Matt Garcia Academy future looks bright with full school board backing – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Fairfield-Suisun School District Board President David Isom was clear at the beginning of the board meeting Thursday night that the district was not going to close the Matt Garcia Career and College Academy.

“This discussion is not about closing the school,” Isom said. “The school is not closing. This item tonight is about information only and no action will be taken.”

Isom asked if any board member supported closing the school. Not one raised a hand in support of that idea.

Source: Matt Garcia Academy future looks bright with full school board backing

Trustees to hear update on Matt Garcia Career and College Academy – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Trustees of the Fairfield-Suisun School District will hear a presentation Thursday on the future of the Matt Garcia Career and College Academy.

The board at its previous meeting heard a presentation on the school which, according to some trustees, seems to have some issues that need to be addressed.

The idea of shutting it down was discussed but before anything was decided, the board asked for more research to be done.

Source: Trustees to hear update on Matt Garcia Career and College Academy

Officials schedule meeting to talk about closing Matt Garcia academy – Daily Republic

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Supporters of the Matt Garcia Career and College Academy will meet with district officials along with parents and students next week to discuss the possible closure of the school.

The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Multipurpose Room at 1100 Civic Center Drive.

The school was dedicated to slain City Councilman Matt Garcia in October 2010. It has seen many changes since then.

Source: Officials schedule meeting to talk about closing Matt Garcia academy

Fairfield-Suisun board may ax Matt Garcia campus – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The Matt Garcia Career and College Academy is struggling and it is possible in the future the Fairfield-Suisun School District will shut it down.

After a tour by staff and board members a few weeks ago, issues were revealed that put the question of the school’s continued value in the spotlight.

Sheila McCabe, assistant superintendent of Educational Services, and Kristen Witt, senior director of Secondary Education, gave a summation Thursday night of the positives and negatives facing the school.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun board may ax Matt Garcia campus

California school districts pass $20 billion in construction bonds, but some rural areas say no to higher taxes | EdSource

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By John Fensterwald & Carolyn Jones

Notwithstanding worries about a looming recession and misperceptions that schools are swimming in money, California voters approved 71 of 101 TK-12 and community college construction bond proposals last month. The 65 of 94 TK-12 and six of seven community college district ballot measures that won will generate $20 billion in renovations and new construction.

The overall passage of 71% is below the average approval rate of 80% since 2001, according to CaliforniaCityFinance.com. The voting margins also “seemed thinner this year,” said Jeff Becker, executive director of facilities for the Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. He also chairs the Coalition for Adequate School Housing or CASH, the California lobby for school facilities.

Source: California school districts pass $20 billion in construction bonds, but some rural areas say no to higher taxes | EdSource

Committee recommends against renaming Vanden football facility – Daily Republic

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The committee that reviewed a proposed renaming of the Vanden High School Gammon Field to “The Daniel Dejon Hughes Stadium at Gammon Field” in tribute to slain Vanden student Daniel Dejon Hughes has made a recommendation to decline the proposal.

The Travis School District board of trustees on Tuesday night will hear the full report from the committee meeting from Oct. 3 in a report given by Superintendent Pam Conklin.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at 2751 De Ronde Drive, Fairfield.

Source: Committee recommends against renaming Vanden football facility

Committee allows voices to be heard on Vanden stadium name proposal – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Dejon Daniel Hughes spoke again Monday about his wish to see his son, Daniel Hughes, memorialized with a renaming or addition of the name of his son to the sign on the Vanden High School stadium.

This time it was different because he was speaking to a committee created for the sole purpose of making that decision.

Daniel Hughes died after being shot in April 2021. His family has wished to create a legacy for him by having his name included at the stadium where he had such great times with friends and family.

Source: Committee allows voices – pro and con – to be heard on Vanden stadium name proposal

TUSD committee to consider naming Vanden stadium after slain student – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Will the Vanden High stadium be named for a well-known student-athlete who was shot on Easter 2021 and died two weeks later?

A committee convened to consider naming the stadium in memory of Daniel Hughes, 17, will meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the Travis Education Center, 2775 De Ronde Drive, Fairfield.

The Naming of the Facility Committee, as it is being called, will hear Dejon Hughes, Daniel’s father, and supporters of the idea argue that the idea should be presented to the Travis Unified governing board for consideration and possibly a vote.

Source: TUSD committee to consider naming Vanden stadium after slain student – The Vacaville Reporter

TUSD committee to consider naming Vanden stadium after slain student – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Will the Vanden High stadium be named for a well-known student-athlete who was shot on Easter 2021 and died two weeks later?

A committee convened to consider naming the stadium in memory of Daniel Hughes, 17, will meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the Travis Education Center, 2775 De Ronde Drive, Fairfield.

The Naming of the Facility Committee, as it is being called, will hear Dejon Hughes, Daniel’s father, and supporters of the idea argue that the idea should be presented to the Travis Unified governing board for consideration and possibly a vote.

Source: TUSD committee to consider naming Vanden stadium after slain student – The Vacaville Reporter

Markham Elementary heralds completion of Measure A projects – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

Edwin Markham Elementary School has changed quite a bit in the last few years. The 60-year-old campus now has new classrooms, a new cafeteria, administration building and library, all due to $35 million from Vacaville Unified School District’s Measure A bond.

The project, one of the largest under the Measure A initiative, was finished amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but with restrictions lifted and people allowed to meet fully in person, a brief ceremony was held Friday morning to commemorate the completion.

Against a backdrop of black and turquoise balloons and with wolf mascot Edwin pumping up the crowd, Principal Jose Bermudez welcomed everyone to “the new and improved Markham.”

Source: Markham Elementary heralds completion of Measure A projects – The Vacaville Reporter

Travis School District reaps benefit of fees charged to developers – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Account helps pay for portable classroom rentals at various sites

Developers working within the bounds of the Travis School District in Fairfield and Vacaville are paying significantly more to the school district now than they were at the start of 2022.

Fees charged to residential developers are nearly 11.2% more while fees charged to commercial developers are up nearly 18.2%.

The boost in the fees, charged per square foot for both residential and commercial development, helped the district absorb a one-time debt payment of $5.29 million while maintaining the integrity of the account that’s designated for the developer fees.

Source: Travis School District reaps benefit of fees charged to developers

Fairfield-Suisun trustees get overview of Measure J projects, eye future funding – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Fairfield-Suisun School District trustees heard an overview Thursday of Measure J projects that have been completed and the final projects that need to be completed in coming years.

Measure J, a $249 million general obligation bond that’s being repaid through property tax assessments, was approved by voters June 7, 2016, with the third and final bond sale occurring Feb. 20, 2020. The presentation comes at a time when the school board is placing another property tax measure to finance future projects on the November ballot.

The Measure J projects started with the replacement of the synthetic tracks and fields in the stadiums at all three comprehensive high schools in 2016. The district has completed several projects and is in design for most of the final projects of the bond program.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun trustees get overview of Measure J projects, eye future funding

Fairfield-Suisun trustees to hear updates on school bond projects, other programs – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

Fairfield-Suisun School District trustees will hear several presentations at their next meeting Thursday, to include an update on Measure J projects as the district seeks approval of another property tax measure to finance future projects.

Measure J, a $249 million general obligation bond that’s being repaid through property tax assessments, was approved by voters June 7, 2016, with the third and final bond sale occurring Feb. 20, 2020.

Construction started with the replacement of the synthetic track and fields in the stadiums at all three comprehensive high schools in 2016. The district has completed several projects and is in design for most of the final projects of the bond program.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun trustees to hear updates on school bond projects, other programs

Fairfield HS to get performing arts center, renovated kitchens & repairs for athletic fields

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The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District reopened its classrooms Wednesday to welcome students back to school.

Students who were arriving at Fairfield High School walked up to the sounds of construction for a new performing arts center on campus.

According to district officials, the new center is meant for the entire community to enjoy.

Source: Fairfield HS to get performing arts center, renovated kitchens & repairs for athletic fields

Fairfield-Suisun school district using Measure J dollars as intended – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The executive director of the Measure J oversight committee told the Fairfield-Suisun school board this week that proceeds from the bond have only been used for the purposes in the ballot measure.

Paul Speed, executive director of Facilities and Operations on the Measure J Citizens’ Oversight Committee, presented the committee’s 2021 report during a quick meeting of the board on Thursday.

The committee also concluded that the bond proceeds have been maximized, Speed said.

Source: Report: Fairfield-Suisun school district using Measure J dollars as intended

Final phase of Measure A projects moving along – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick Sestanovich

When Vacaville Unified School District students return for classes Aug. 18, many will be returning to campuses that did not look the same as they did in the spring.

These include upgraded technology in the classrooms, new rooms and — in the case of Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy — a completely remodeled campus.

All of this is a result of Measure A, a $194 million bond approved by Vacaville voters in 2014 for educational improvements at VUSD sites. Among the larger projects completed so far are a pair of new two-story buildings at Vacaville High School, a new stadium at Will C. Wood High School, modernization of Willis Jepson Middle School’s campus and increased technology availability at all sites.

Source: Final phase of Measure A projects moving along – The Vacaville Reporter

Fairfield school board OKs $249.6M facilities bond for November ballot – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

A divided school board this week voted 6-1 to place a quarter of a billion dollar bond on the Nov. 8 ballot to provide what the Fairfield-Suisun School District describes as facilities improvements.

Trustee Ana Petero voted against the plan.

Superintendent Kris Corey said the bond will not increase taxes for the community. Instead, it will extend the terms of the combined Measures C and J bonds. By extending the terms and not increasing the tax rate, she said, the community will generate $249.6 million to use for school facilities projects.

Source: Fairfield school board OKs $249.6M facilities bond for November ballot

Fairfield-Suisun board approves nearly $2.3M in school project bids – Daily Republic

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The Fairfield-Suisun School District board last week accepted bids totaling more than $2.29 million for a variety of campus improvement projects.

That included a $1.1 million bid awarded to JPB Designs Inc. of Sacramento to install shade structures at the H. Glenn Richardson Education Complex, the Matt Garcia Career and College Academy and at Armijo High School.

The Armijo project connects the structure to the school’s Career Technical Education program by providing outdoor classroom space next to the welding classroom, the district reported.

Source: Fairfield-Suisun board approves nearly $2.3M in school project bids

Play equipment being replaced throughout Fairfield-Suisun School District – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield-Suisun School District is working to complete playground equipment replacement at all of its schools.

Several parents and children were upset to see the old equipment scheduled for removal at the Tolenas Academy of Music in Fairfield and came to the school board meeting Thursday to discuss it.

Darren Maniloft came to the meeting on behalf of his son, DJ Maniloft, who is in first grade at the Tolenas. He said his son wishes the school wouldn’t tear down his friend’s playground.

Source: Play equipment being replaced throughout Fairfield-Suisun School District