Executive Summary
The Facilities Construction Plan for the Berkeley Unified School District is a comprehensive planning study incorporating budgets, schedules and accounting information. It defines all building projects already undertaken or presently contemplated in the next seven years (2004-2010). This document represents the first comprehensive look at our facilities since March 2003. It explains the underlying assumptions, budget and schedule priorities and projects which require further refinement before facilities improvements can begin. Schedules and soft costs have been reexamined and this Report provides information which details both our projections of these costs and BUSD’s actual experience.
The prime goal of the facilities program is to solve life safety problems, including seismic retrofits and to correct building envelope deficiencies. Aesthetic modifications and facility changes to support a revised educational program are secondary benefits. The funding is not sufficient to address all the desired aesthetic or educational modifications. Where possible, these modifications are included in the facilities program.
- The District has addressed a number of fundamental issues in the past year. The major improvements are described below:
- The District has continued its work with the Citizens Construction Advisory Committee to assist in review of the program;
- The District has completed two of the largest projects in its history, the BHS new buildings and the seismic renovation of the King Middle School;
- The District has begun to work on non K-12 sites, including the start of construction for the Adult School;
- The District has worked with the Mayor to look for solutions to our Transportation Department;
- The District is poised to start construction of the King Dining Commons.
There are a number of challenges in the next year. The following are among the most significant:
- To further the discussion about which sites can be transformed for new educational uses or asset managed so that one-time money or an income stream can be developed;
- To design a new Transportation facility;
- To complete the Franklin Adult School project;
- To resolve planning assumptions for classrooms at Berkeley High School. This will allow discussions on the plans for the Old Gym and adjacent pool to begin;
- To resolve planning assumptions for our child development population;
- To develop a “base” housing model to ensure equity among schools; and
- To discuss and resolve our District-wide kitchen planning.
Other facilities issues will arise in the next several years.