School district studies facilities expansion





As final Measure R funds are being spent on the latest addition to the Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD)—the new Yerba Buena Elementary School—officials are peering into their crystal ball to determine future school needs and their associated costs.

Measure R was a $93 million bond measure passed by local voters in 1997. The cost of projects rose to about $140 million, but the school district was successful in securing state aid, matching grants, additional developer fees and other money to complete about 200 of the projects.

To fund future work, the school district is considering placing a $60 to $70 million bond measure on the ballot next June.

At a recent school board meeting, Donald Zimring, LVUSD deputy superintendent, presented a facilities update and discussed what the future holds in the way of new projects.

Zimring first gave an update on Yerba Buena. He said the $23 million elementary school is being funded through various sources, including $15.6 million in state aid and $6 million in developer fees. Only about $4 million came directly from Measure R.

The school is on the border between Agoura Hills and Westlake Village.

The district’s ninth elementary school, which will be in Calabasas, is expected to cost around $15 million, but developer New Millennium Homes has already committed $8 million toward the project.

Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills needs some of its portable buildings replaced for about $900,000. A similar project at Round Meadow Elementary will cost about $450,000.

Lupin Hill Elementary School in Calabasas is due to replace relocatable rooms in two areas, one of which will cost $750,000.

Also, a Buttercup Preschool expansion is needed at a cost of about $1 million.

A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas may see a new parking lot next year, and a master plan for Lindero Canyon Middle School in Agoura Hills is on the drawing board, although construction won’t begin for two years. The total cost for Lindero’s expansion is estimated at $10 million. As for the high schools, the special education classroom aCalabasas High will eventually be expanded at an approximate cosof $750,000.

In 2006-2007, the Agoura High School science labs upgrades are expected to be completed for $250,000.

The district also hopes to upgrade the labs at Calabasas High School, but the cost will be $850,000.

At Agoura, improvements to the football stadium bathrooms are estimated to cost about $1.5 million, while stadium upgrades aCalabasas High School may cosas much $1 million.

School technology throughouthe district is expected to receive $6 million in upgrades over a two year period starting in 2006.

Zimring said the future bond money can be used to acquire equipment, but cannot be used to pay for personnel.

If the bond measure is passed by voters, both Agoura and Calabasas could be in line to receive new performing arts centers. The theaters are estimated to cost $7 million apiece.

The June 2006 school bond will require a 55 percent majority to pass.


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