White Hill Middle School Flythrough

Manor Construction

Construction of the modular classroom at Manor Elementary school to accommodate increased enrollment began on January 9th.  Prior to actual construction the playground structure was relocated to make room for the placement of the modular classroom building.  Plant Construction is the Developer for this project and Marshall Lee Architects is the architect of record. The building will be  delivered to Manor over the President's week break in February.

Manor Pre-Design Approved

The Board approved pre design plans for the Manor Elementary School at the January 10, 2012 board meeting. The approved plan places two new classrooms at the front of the school and modifies the parking/drop-off area.

Manor Approved Option E - 1/10/2012

Brookside Upper Elementary School Pre-Design Approved

The Board approved pre design plans for Brookside Upper Elementary School at the January 10, 2012 board meeting. The approved plan will convert the existing library pod into kindergarten complex (3 classrooms with restroom), create a kinder play area, build a new library at the front of the school and replace one of the existing portables with a modular classroom building  Some improvements for a pedestrian pathway, ramps and  parking lot modifications are in the scope of work.

Brookside Upper Approved Pre-Design - 1/10/2012

Brookside Lower (Hidden Valley) Elementary School Pre-Design Approved

The Board approved pre design plans for Brookside Lower Elementary School at the November 29, 2011 board meeting.Thedesign includes five classrooms, a new Multipurpose Room and some hardscape modifications.

Brookside Lower Approved Pre-Design - 1/10/2012

Wade Thomas Elementary School Pre-design approved

The Board approved pre design plans for Wade Thomas Elementary School at the November 29, 2011 board meeting. The approved plan will add four classrooms along Ross Avenue and maximizes the playground space for student use.

Wade Thomas Approved Option C - 1/10/2012

White Hill Update

The Board has approved Plant Construction as the Developer for the White Hill project. The final configuration was approved by the board on October 18, 2011.  The developer has been working closely with WRNS Architects to complete the construction design documents to submit to DSA in early February.  The Board will receive an update at the February 7th meeting.

White Hill Plans 1/10/2012

Educational Specifications

The Board approved the Middle and Elementary School Specifications at the December 11, 2011 board meeting and specifications are now posted on the District website.  Educational specifications serve as the link between the educational program and the school facilities.  They translate the physical requirements of the educational activity to be conducted so that the architectural concepts and solution support the stated educational program.  In 1994 the California Department of Education was directed by the Legislature to formalize regulations governing standards for the design and construction of new school facilities.  Included with those standards are requirements for the submittal of educational specifications.  Those requirements are delineated in Ed Code section 39101(c) and also listed in the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, section 14030 (a).

These documents represent numerous hours of input from teachers, administrators and other staff.

Citizen Oversight Committee

The Citizen Oversight committee is scheduled to meet on February 15th.  At this meeting they will review the audit of the Bond funds and receive an update on the progress of all construction projects.

On October 18, 2011, bond staff presented preliminary schematic design to the Board. The Board asked staff to present these drawings to the teachers, parents and community members for further input before returning for Board approval. Additionally, George Baranoff, Bret Joyner, Dr. Marty Powers, and four kindergarten teachers visited recently-modernized Ross Elementary school to observe the morning rush given the location of the kindergarten building and the playground are similar to one of the options being proposed for Brookside Upper.

Field Trip to Ross School District

Community Meetings

The architects and bond staff had meetings with teachers, parents and the community to present schematic designs at each of the elementary school sites.  Additional meetings are scheduled to continue in November and the schematic designs for the elementary schools will come to the Board for approval on November 29, 2011.

Manor's Additional Classroom

Marshal Lee Architects, the District’s Architect of Record, will be assisting with the modular classroom at Manor School. The play structure has already been relocated to make way for the modular classroom which should be in place and ready for students after the winter break.

White Hill Design Plans Approved

On October 18, 2011 the Board approved the Design Development Plans as presented by WRNS Architects.  The approved plans put the project within budget.  The architects will now prepare detailed working drawings and specifications which the Contractor will use to establish actual construction cost and build the project. 

Citizen Oversight Committee Meeting

The Citizen Oversight Committee had its first meeting on October 19th.  The group discussed roles and responsibilities, requested additional information and set the next meeting of February 2012.  Coming soon: The Citizen Oversight Committee will have their own webpage!

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

On October 17, 2011, the District issued a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the White Hill Middle School Proposed Construction.  The notice announced the availability of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, identified where it was available for review and described the project and its location. The notice also specified the tentative date, time and location of the possible approval of the adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration. Copies of the Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration were posted at the White Hill Middle School campus, at the District office and on the district website. Copies of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration were provided to the State Clearing House at the Office of Planning and Research and also available for public review at the Ross Valley School District Office.

A community meeting was held to offer an explanation of the document by the District’s CEQA consultant. The public may submit written comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration to be considered.  Bond staff intends to bring the Study with incorporated comments  to the November 29, 2011 Board of Trustees meeting with a recommendation that the Board adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the White Hill Middle School Construction Plan.

For more information about a Mitigated Negative Declaration and the adoption process, visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/habcon/ceqa/intrnlproced/neg_dec.html.

Schematic Design Plans were displayed at Back to School Nights for parents and staff to view and provide comments to the Bond Construction Department.  These are preliminary drawings and have yet to be approved by the board.  Ideas for location of additional classrooms were generated at meetings held at each site including the staff, bond team and architect.   These meetings will continue throughout the planning process.

Additionally, the Board of trustees approved moving forward with a modular classroom at Manor to accommodate increased enrollment. The playground structure will be relocated slightly east to provide the necessary space.   Two additional classrooms are planned at this campus to be constructed in 2014.

White Hill Update

The Bond Construction team will give an update at the October 11th Board meeting regarding progress at developing options for bringing the White Hill project in budget per Board direction.   The ongoing development of these options has been a collaborative effort including White Hill staff, the bond team and the architect. The Board will vote on the design development plan at the October 18th meeting
The Board has selected Plant Construction to be the developer on the White Hill project subject to negotiation.

Citizen Oversight Committee

The Citizen Oversight Committee is scheduled to meet on October 19, 2011. At the first meeting, the committee will review roles and responsibilities and the Bond Program budget.