DUSD Moves Forward On 3 Multi-Million-Dollar Projects

DUBLIN, CA — Three major multi-million-dollar projects will move forward in the Dublin Unified School District. During Tuesday's DUSD board meeting, the trustees unanimously agreed to approve contract awards for construction of the Dublin High School Engineering & Science Building and the site plan concept for a future high school. The board also unanimously approved the contract for a new building at Murray Elementary School.

The Dublin High School Engineering & Science Building project, which was previously approved and funded by the board, cleared the final hurdle Tuesday when the board unanimous awarded Midstate Construction Corporation of Petaluma the building contract. The project, with its board-approved budget of $31.5 million dollars, will be funded with Measure E and Measure C monies ($30.5 million from Measure E and $1 million from Measure C).

“Once complete, this new building will significantly increase the opportunity for students to participate in our STEM-based academies, provide our teachers and classified staff with exceptional facilities, and give our athletes the ability to train in a way that improves strength and performance while reducing injuries,” said Dr. Dave Marken, superintendent of the Dublin Unified School District. “Best of all, this is being done without the use of any Measure H funds. In the long run, once this building is complete and the future high school is open, portables will be removed from Dublin High School and we’ll see optimal utilization of the campus for the first time in years.”

The Dublin High School Engineering & Science Building is slated to be three stories tall containing approximately 47,000 square feet. The project scope will include 16 classroom spaces, and multi-use space. The first level will include five engineering classrooms, a weight room, maintenance room, support and infrastructure, and shop space. The second level will include three flexible science classrooms, multi-use space, break-out space, and support and infrastructure. The final level will include four flexible science classrooms, three flexible science labs, break-out space, and support and infrastructure. Construction will begin this summer and is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2020-21 school year, according to the district.

“Although it's taken longer than expected, I’m so happy we are finally moving forward with the Engineering & Science Building our community so graciously funded,” said Amy Miller, president of the Dublin Unified School District Board of Trustees.

The board of trustees also approved a final site plan concept from Fresno-based design firm SIM-PBK for a future high school. In August 2017, the board budgeted $100 million for Phase I of the school that would accommodate 1,000 students. This initial budget was later expanded to $135 million to include a gym, with all monies coming from voter-approved Measure H. The updated design approved Tuesday incorporates several changes, including increasing student capacity to approximately 1,300 students at an estimated cost of $166.6 million.

The district plans to make up the difference between the money allocated for Phase I and the estimated cost of the expanded project through various sources, including state reimbursement due from the construction of J.M. Amador Elementary School, existing developer fees, and developer fees received if the AT Dublin project is approved; the Amador reimbursement alone is expected to be approximately $28 million, according to the district.

Phase II of the future high school project is also planned that will allow the new campus to house approximately 2,550 students at a total estimated cost (Phase I & II) of approximately $268.8 million.

Phase I of the future high school project details:

• Student Capacity: Approximately 1,300
• Estimated Cost: $166.6 million
• Currently Allocated Funds: $135 million from Measure H
• Additional Funding: Various sources, including state reimbursement due from the construction of J.M. Amador Elementary School, existing developer fees, and developer fees received if the AT Dublin project is approved.
• Tower One (Two-Stories): Administration & Counseling, Two-Story Library, 125-seat Lecture Hall, Food Court, and Student Union Space
• Tower Two (Three-Stories): 22 Standard Classrooms, four Chemistry Labs, four Flex Science Labs, Special Education, and two Electronic Arts Rooms
• Gymnasium: 2,500 seats with three full basketball courts
• Locker Room: Boys & Girls Locker Rooms, Team Rooms, and a Weight Room & Training Room
• Visual and Performing Arts Classrooms: Music, Dance, Art, Ceramics, and Video Production
• All-Weather Track
• Synthetic Football/Soccer Field
• Field Lights
• Eight Tennis Courts

Phase II of the future high school project details:

• Student Capacity: Approximately 2,550
• Estimated Cost (Phase I & II): $268.8 million
• Funding: Funding for Phase II will require a future bond
• Tower Three (Three-Stories): 27 Standard Classrooms, seven Science Labs, and four Engineering Labs
• 820-seat Performing Arts Theater with Support Facilities
• Aquatic Complex with 50-meter Competition Pool and Warm-Up Pool
• Stadium Bleachers

During Tuesday's meeting, the board also awarded a contract to American Modular Systems, Inc. of Manteca for new construction and modernization at Murray Elementary School. "The 53-year-old Murray site is projected to see significant growth in the coming years and work is needed to meet this future demand and to provide safe, modern classrooms and facilities for students and staff," according to a press release from the district.

Phase I of the Murray project includes two new wings, with 12 classrooms added to the site by the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. Phase II will result in three additional classroom wings. The final phases of the project, not yet awarded, will include the construction of new administrative offices, a library, multi-purpose room, and the demolition of older structures. The project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2022. Funding for the Murray project comes entirely from Measure H, according to the district.

During Tuesday's meeting a purchase agreement was also approved for property located directly adjacent to the Dublin Unified School District offices. The land, owned by Easterseals Bay Area, is approximately 30,000 square feet and was purchased for $900,000. According to the district, the extra space will allow expansion of its Larkdale Avenue office.