Emerald High Campus Opening Delayed Until Next School Year

DUBLIN, CA —Emerald High School will remain on the Dublin High School campus for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year, DUSD Superintendent Chris Funk told families in an email.

Phase 1 of construction – which is expected to accommodate 1,300 students and feature an administration building, student union, kitchen, visual and performing arts center, library, gym, locker rooms, academy tower, tennis courts, a sports field and track – was initially expected to finish by Dec. 31. However, its completion date has been pushed back to March due to a number of setbacks, including rain delays, supply chain issues, state approvals, labor shortages, and a painter’s strike, Funk said.

The latest schedule is as follows:

• March 20, 2024 - New construction completion date for Phase I
• April 1, 2024 - Maintenance and Operations, IT, and furniture vendors will have access
• Summer 2024 - EHS sports activities will take place onsite
• June 1, 2024 - EHS staff will access the site
• August 2024 - EHS freshmen and sophomores will begin the school year on campus

“While we know this is disappointing, we want to assure you that this will not impact the learning experience of our EHS students,” Funk wrote. “Staying at DHS for the remainder of the school year will eliminate the disruption associated with moving to a new campus mid-year and allow us to continue working with nine teachers at DHS where students are dually enrolled. This also provides the time needed to lay the foundation and steel the second tower in Phase II, test all the systems, and work out any kinks before students and staff arrive.”

Despite the delay, Funk reported that the district has been able to save $49 million on Phases 1 and 2, which will be used to fully fund another structure on the EHS campus. On Tuesday, the DUSD Facilities team will present an initial recommendation to the Board of Trustees to use the funds to build a 600-fixed seat theater, but ultimately the decision lies with the Board.

The agenda for Tuesday’s DUSD board meeting contains further information. The meeting will take place at 6 pm and can be viewed at DublinUSD.tv.