In 2015 and 2016, Piedmont Unified assessed whether its facilities support changing educational programs and goals. The resulting Facilities Master Plan combines
- the assessment of the educational appropriateness of facilities
- the assessment of the physical condition of facilities and
- teacher and community input, and identifies a range of improvements needed to support our educational programs now and in the future.
(For more information about the Plan, see these Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.)
Throughout 2016, the Piedmont Unified School District’s Facilities Steering Committee met regularly to review and study the Facilities Master Plan. The Committee was charged with the following:
- To develop various options to prioritize and phase the work in anticipation of one or more facilities bond measures;
- To scrutinize detailed cost estimates developed by District staff in conjunction with general contractors specializing in school construction; and
- To develop formal recommendations to the Board of Education
The Committee was guided by considerations of how to accomplish the most pressing educational goals and how to get the best value for the investment of bond funds.
(For more information, see the Steering Committee’s recommendations.)
On November 8, 2016, Piedmont voters authorized the District to sell up to $66 million in general obligation bonds to modernize and improve school facilities to better support our education programs. Specifically, the District may use bond funds to:
- Improve educational facilities/equipment to support advanced courses in math, science, engineering, arts and technology;
- Repair/modernize aging science labs and classrooms at the high school and middle school;
- Repair deteriorating roofs, plumbing, heating, ventilation and electrical systems;
- Add kindergarten classrooms;
- Improve the likelihood of qualifying for State matching funds.
(For more information, see the Text of Measure H1.)