Where Will AUSD Staff Work in the Future?

The Alameda Board of Education must decide by May whether to purchase the leased 22,000-square-foot facility in Marina Village that is currently housing about 85 district-wide employees, Chief Business Officer Robert Shemwell told board members Tuesday night.

The decision has implications for the future of Historic Alameda High School, which needs extensive seismic upgrades to serve as Alameda Unified School District headquarters. Administrative staff moved from HAGH to the leased quarters in December.

According to Shemwell's report, it would cost the district about $6.3 million to purchase the Marina Village space by September of 2013 — about double the cost of continuing its present six-year lease. 

However, it would save the the district the cost of another relocation — estimated at about $800,000 — and the expense of retrofitting or remodeling property already owned by the district.

The board declined last year to exercise its first option to purchase the Marina Village facility, but it has a second option to buy by Sept. 30, 2013, the report says. Board members would need to make a decision by May in order to arrange financing and meet state regulations, and take formal action by June 30 to complete the purchase by the end of September.

The report recommends seeking community input on the future of HAHS before making a decision.

The district is also looking toward long-term planning for school facilities, a process that could take up to two years. Community meetings on future facilities are expected to begin this spring.

For more on the long-term plan, see this article on The Alamedan's website.