Facilities
Ensuring our facilities meet our needs over the next 10 to 15 years
Separate from the operating funds they receive, districts rely on capital funds for modernizing and building school facilities. These restricted funds come from various sources including state bond funds, local bond funds, funds from the sale of property and developer fees assessed to new construction.
With the new housing development and with our Measure G bond projects winding down, the timing is right for NUSD to develop a Facilities Master Plan to scope out our facility needs and potential sources for funding for the next 10 to 15 years. Our current capital funds include:
Developer Fees
In 1986, the California Legislature authorized school districts to levy school impact or developer fees on residential and commercial/industrial development for funding the construction or reconstruction of school facilities. The basis of the school facilities legislation is the relationship between new development, and the impact on school districts to provide adequate school facilities for the student population new development generates. The authority for the District's assessment of developer fees is set forth in Education Code Section 17620. The Board has approved a Developer Fee Justification Study that enumerates how much we will collect from the new homes being developed in Newark.
Measure G Bond
In 2011 Newark voters approved a $63 million bond measure:
“To preserve quality education, provide safe and modern schools, and qualify for matching funds, shall Newark Unified School District update aging classrooms, libraries, and science labs to meet earthquake/fire/safety standards; improve access for students with disabilities; remove asbestos, lead and hazardous materials; and improve energy/operational efficiency to maximize funding for instructional programs; by issuing $63 million in bonds at legal rates, with independent oversight, no money for administrators’ salaries, and all funds staying in Newark.”
This funding has provided much needed improvements. Heating and cooling units (HVAC) that were beyond their 15-year life cycle were replaced. Most of our buildings have new roofs. Other improvements include hard court paving of our play areas, new play structures at our schools, alarms and video surveillance, and more. Suggested needs identified for the remaining $12 million in the fund include renovating our high school science classrooms, replacing door locking mechanisms at some of our schools, and replacing additional HVAC units that are now beyond their useful life.
Proceeds from the Sale of Ruschin School
The proceeds from the sale of Ruschin School in 2015-16 totaled $18.7 million. Of that, $4 million was transferred to the general fund to be used for operating expenses. Expenditures to date include painting our schools, updating our technology infrastructure, providing Chromebooks for our students, and upgrading classrooms at Birch Grove Primary and Intermediate Schools. Each school has been given a budget for capital projects of their choosing. Examples include fencing, electronic marquees, a new football scoreboard, and seating and patio area improvements.
Separate from the operating funds they receive, districts rely on capital funds for modernizing and building school facilities. These restricted funds come from various sources including state bond funds, local bond funds, funds from the sale of property and developer fees assessed to new construction.
With the new housing development and with our Measure G bond projects winding down, the timing is right for NUSD to develop a Facilities Master Plan to scope out our facility needs and potential sources for funding for the next 10 to 15 years. Our current capital funds include:
Developer Fees
In 1986, the California Legislature authorized school districts to levy school impact or developer fees on residential and commercial/industrial development for funding the construction or reconstruction of school facilities. The basis of the school facilities legislation is the relationship between new development, and the impact on school districts to provide adequate school facilities for the student population new development generates. The authority for the District's assessment of developer fees is set forth in Education Code Section 17620. The Board has approved a Developer Fee Justification Study that enumerates how much we will collect from the new homes being developed in Newark.
Measure G Bond
In 2011 Newark voters approved a $63 million bond measure:
“To preserve quality education, provide safe and modern schools, and qualify for matching funds, shall Newark Unified School District update aging classrooms, libraries, and science labs to meet earthquake/fire/safety standards; improve access for students with disabilities; remove asbestos, lead and hazardous materials; and improve energy/operational efficiency to maximize funding for instructional programs; by issuing $63 million in bonds at legal rates, with independent oversight, no money for administrators’ salaries, and all funds staying in Newark.”
This funding has provided much needed improvements. Heating and cooling units (HVAC) that were beyond their 15-year life cycle were replaced. Most of our buildings have new roofs. Other improvements include hard court paving of our play areas, new play structures at our schools, alarms and video surveillance, and more. Suggested needs identified for the remaining $12 million in the fund include renovating our high school science classrooms, replacing door locking mechanisms at some of our schools, and replacing additional HVAC units that are now beyond their useful life.
Proceeds from the Sale of Ruschin School
The proceeds from the sale of Ruschin School in 2015-16 totaled $18.7 million. Of that, $4 million was transferred to the general fund to be used for operating expenses. Expenditures to date include painting our schools, updating our technology infrastructure, providing Chromebooks for our students, and upgrading classrooms at Birch Grove Primary and Intermediate Schools. Each school has been given a budget for capital projects of their choosing. Examples include fencing, electronic marquees, a new football scoreboard, and seating and patio area improvements.
Next steps
The district published a Request for Statements of Qualifications and Proposals(“RFQP”) for Architect Services for Master Planning and Design of Projects in December and staff brought forward two finalists to make presentations to the Board. Based on questions and comments from the community and board members following the presentations and examples of work products from the firms, the superintendent suggested that an ad hoc committee be formed to do further research and bring a recommendation back to the Board. A group comprised of two board members, three staff members, a representative from the city and a representative from the Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee will be reviewing all five proposals again to help the ad hoc committee with its recommendation to the board.
Request for Statements of Qualifications and Proposals (“RFQP”)
The district published a Request for Statements of Qualifications and Proposals(“RFQP”) for Architect Services for Master Planning and Design of Projects in December and staff brought forward two finalists to make presentations to the Board. Based on questions and comments from the community and board members following the presentations and examples of work products from the firms, the superintendent suggested that an ad hoc committee be formed to do further research and bring a recommendation back to the Board. A group comprised of two board members, three staff members, a representative from the city and a representative from the Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee will be reviewing all five proposals again to help the ad hoc committee with its recommendation to the board.
Request for Statements of Qualifications and Proposals (“RFQP”)