Summertime is a very busy time for us in the Alameda Unified School District as we finish budgets, hire new employees, purchase textbooks and technology, submit end-of-year records to the state Education Department and work on the myriad other details that go into wrapping up one school year and getting ready for the next. One of our areas of greatest activity is our facilities. And this year, in addition to the deep cleaning and extensive repair work scheduled every year, we have a number of major construction projects taking place across our campuses.
First, our contractors will put the finishing touches on Historic Alameda High School this summer so that the building will be ready for students on the first day of next school year (Aug. 19). Just last week, in fact, landscape workers began putting plants, shrubs and trees into the ground in front of the buildings. This landscaping project includes London plane trees to extend the line of trees along Central Avenue, drought-tolerant plants to reduce our water use and a bioswale design to help absorb and clean rainwater that otherwise would run into the city’s storm drain system.
Second, demolition and construction work has begun at Encinal Junior & Senior High School, where a new, two-story, 10-classroom building (which will include four state-of-the-art science labs and a maker-space) and outdoor learning spaces are being built.
In addition, the school’s 200 Wing is being completely renovated, and the entire front is being redesigned to include beautiful landscaping and student gathering areas. Mark Quattrocchi, the project’s lead architect, noted at the May 24 groundbreaking ceremony that EJSHS will undergo one of the “greatest transformations” of any of our schools under the Measure I bond program. We can’t wait to see the final result!
Meanwhile, construction projects at Lincoln Middle School this summer include the full modernization of two science laboratories; modernization and relocation of the front office and music room; new gates and fencing to create a single point of entry to the campus; major window repairs; and a new HVAC system. Haight Elementary School will receive a new administration office; a new student drop-off and visitor parking area; and a new HVAC system. And three schools – Otis Elementary, Earhart Elementary and Bay Farm School — will have new fencing by Aug. 19.
None of these projects would be possible without the Measure I facilities bond that was passed in 2014. We are deeply grateful to the community’s continued support of our school district. We are also grateful for the community’s patience as we improve our campuses for students, families, employees and the community at large.
Susan Davis is the Alameda Unified School District’s senior manager for community affairs. Reach her at 510-337-7175 or sdavis@alameda.k12.ca.us.
