FAQ

Purpose of the Master Plan

The purpose of a facilities master plan is to provide a continuous basis for planning educational facilities that will meet the changing needs of a community. The plan is a compilation of information, policies, and statistical data about a school district which addresses facilities needs for changes in enrollment and educational pedagogy. Facility master plans are not intended to be static; but rather, provide a snapshot of needs, vision, and a plan for implementation. The facility master plan should be updated regularly to reflect project progress, changes in enrollment, changes in program requirements, and changes in priorities.

The plan enables the district to:

• Gather and organize historical data which can be used to evaluate existing conditions

• Compare available space to required space based on estimated pupil populations

• Form objective conclusions regarding the condition of existing building systems and necessary repairs for life-cycle replacement and building code compliance

• Make more effective decisions regarding the types, amounts, and quality of facilities needed to support the desired educational program

• Incorporate community priorities, initiatives, and feedback

• Estimate the cost of proposed improvements

• Develop and maintain a program of continuous, comprehensive planning, and financing of school facilities. 

The development of the master plan is a multi-phase process which builds from an understanding of existing conditions to a vision for desired conditions, and outlines the steps to move from that existing state to desired state.

1. Data Collection

   • Collection of existing data which impacts facilities, including historical and projected enrollment, space and building inventories, and historical facilities information.

2. Facility Assessments

   • Assessment of existing site and building systems including site infrastructure and grounds, building envelope, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, interiors, and furniture, fixtures and equipment.

3. Visioning

   • Alignment of desired educational outcomes with facilities to support those outcomes. The Educational vision establishes standards for environments, space, and adjacencies which best support the instructional programs throughout the district.

4. Master Planning

   • Development of project scopes and related costs for facility improvements.

5. Community Engagement

   • Engaging with internal and external community members to build consensus around priorities.

6. Implementation Plan

   • Alignment of projects, costs, timelines and funding which serves as the guide for implementing master plan projects.

The facility master plan includes 3 primary areas of focus:

1. Classrooms: New Classrooms to replace existing, aging portables, support long-term capacity needs, and educational programs (Early Education, Arts & Music, and Career Technical Education, etc.)

2. Health, Safety, and Expanded Support Spaces: Addition or expansion of support spaces such as libraries, administrations, collaboration, or specialized programs

3. Fields and Community Spaces: Field upgrades and community center for year-round and community use.

The District's general fund, which is funded through California's Proposition 98 funding, does not include allocations for facility capital improvements. School facilities in the state of California are intended to be locally funded. School Facilities rely on three primary sources to fund facilities.

1. Developer Fees

   • Developer fees are fees levied on home builders to help offset the impact of the cost to build facilities to support additional students generated from new housing.

2. Local General Obligation Bonds

   • Local General Obligation Bonds are voter-approved property taxes which provide funding for capital improvements.

3. State General Obligation Bonds

   • A State General Obligation Bond is a voter-approved tax measure which provides state "matching" funds to school districts through the State School Facility Program (SFP). Districts may leverage their local funds to apply for modernization or new construction grants. Through the SFP program, the District may be awarded 60% of their eligible project costs for modernization projects or 50% of their eligible project costs for new construction projects. 

School facilities in California must adhere to strict standards of construction and educational adequacy. As such, the construction process for school facilities can often be longer than a standard building project. A typical school facility construction project follows a multi-phase process:

1. Planning (6-10 months)

   • The planning phase includes project scoping, budgeting, and the indentifcation of the project design and engineering team. 

2. Environmental Reviews (3-6+ Months)

   • All school projects are subject to various environmental impact reviews which ensure that a school site is safe for students and does not negatively impact the evironment or surrounding communities. These environmental reviews include compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, Department of Toxic Substance Control review, and California Geologic Service review. Some projects have very little environmental impact and require simple reviews and approvals; other, more complex projects may require more detailed reporting and mitigation efforts. 

3. Design (6-12 months)

   • Architects and engineers work closely with District partners to design projects which align with the District's facility master plan and the specific needs of a site. This is a multi-phase process which generates a set of construction plans and specifications which are then used to build the project. 

4. Approvals (3-6 months)

   • Once the project is designed, it must be approved by several state agencies to ensure that it complies with all building and education code requirements. Plans and specifications for the project are reviewed by the Division of the State Architect, California Department of Education, and other agencies which may be applicable depending on the type of project, such as the local health department. 

5. Bidding (1-2 months)

   • As a public entity, the District is required to solicit bids for the construction of the project. This process allows building contractors to review the plans and specifications and provide a bid for the cost to construct the project. 

6. Construction (6-24 Months)

   • The timeline for project construction varies depending on the size and complexity of the project. Some projects can be completed quickly, over summer break for example, others require longer construction periods and may also include multiple phases. During construction, the Division of the State Architect conducts regular inspections to ensure the project is built in accordance with approved plans and to State building code standards for school construction. Once the project is finished, it must be certified for completion.