The start of classes on Tuesday marks the end of summer for students in the La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District, and the district is racing to ensure that its facilities are ready.
As was evident Friday at the Pescadero Elementary and Middle schools, the district has already begun to put a small slice of the $15 million in bond money, which 70 percent of local voters approved in November, to good use. Superintendent Tim Beard outlined a number of improvements that the district hopes to complete before students return, in what he calls "Phase 1" of the renovations. The Pescadero Elementary and Middle schools will see upgrades in roofing, heating systems and access ramps, in addition to the rearranging of classrooms and the addition of new bathrooms.
 La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District Superintendent Tim Beard inspects progress on work at Pescadero Middle and Elementary schools on Monday. |
"I have at least three projects at each school going on right now," Croswhite said. La Honda Elementary School is also receiving new bathrooms, and both elementary schools are receiving upgraded switch panels, which manage the facilities' electrical flow.
"We have old boxes at both schools that were put in back when the school was built," Croswhite said. "They're truly inadequate to handle today's power needs and power usage. This will also allow us to be a lot more energy efficient."
The district contracted Croswhite and his firm, the Zahn Group, in March to manage all bond-related efforts. The district issued a request for qualifications this winter that was answered by six firms. Beard said that the district awarded the project to the Zahn Group, which is based in San Francisco, because of its experience with managing large projects for schools and other public institutions.
Beard is particularly hopeful that the Zahn Group can maximize bond monies by seeking match funding from California's Office of Public School Construction. Because Pescadero sits in a flood plain and has limited facilities, Beard said the district can qualify for state hardship money to augment bond funds. The strategy will be crucial when the district reaches later phases of the renovations, including the construction of a new high school in Pescadero. Beard and Croswhite both hope that they can find an architect by October to develop the larger plans for construction and structural renovations. Improvements to La Honda Elementary's water system will be ongoing throughout the winter.
Beard said the renovations are only one element of what he sees as a "physical to spiritual rehabilitation" of the district. Although a number of teachers left the district at the close of the previous school year, the four schools have seen a net gain of three additional teachers, including a new music director, a new English Language Development instructor and an additional athletic director.
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