March 2026 Taft Modernization and Construction Update

Lighting across our campuses has been upgraded to more energy-efficient systems helping us reduce energy consumption while keeping spaces well-lit for learning.

RCSD is upgrading lighting across schools as part of its Energy Efficiency Project. New energy-efficient fixtures use motion and sound sensors to automatically adjust based on daylight and room use, helping reduce energy consumption while maintaining well-lit learning environments. Staff and families can support these improvements by following updated guidance on how the new lighting systems operate.

At the June 11, 2025 Board Meeting, the Redwood City School District Board of Trustees approved the final draft of the Facilities Master Plan (FMP). At the November 20, 2024 Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees approved an Energy Services Agreement to upgrade lighting systems across the District. This summer, the Bond Program Team has been hard at work upgrading HVAC systems at Adelante Selby, Taft, Hoover, and Roosevelt.

During the October 16 Board Study Session, the Board of Trustees presented three conceptual scenarios outlining possible approaches for implementing Measure S projects identified in the Facilities Master Plan (FMP). 

The School Board approved the next phase of permanent air conditioning upgrades—this time at Clifford, Kennedy, and Orion Alternative schools. Construction is set for summer 2026. The upgrades are funded by Measure S, thanks to Redwood City voters.

The plan charts the course for improving classrooms, infrastructure, and learning spaces across RCSD—identifying more than $819 million in needed repairs, upgrades, modernization, and construction over the next 8 to 10 years.

The Board of Trustees approved multiple initiatives aimed at improving climate control in local schools. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to optimize learning conditions for students across the district, a priority identified early last fall.

Taft Community School is the next site scheduled to receive energy-efficient lighting upgrades as part of the Redwood City School District’s ongoing Measure S Lighting Retrofit Project.

Developed since June 2024, the FMP outlines an estimated $777.8 million in identified facility needs, with $298 million available through Measure S bond funding.

The first phase of installations will begin this summer at Adelante Selby, Hoover, Roosevelt, and Taft, as these schools require fewer structural and electrical modifications. The remaining campuses will receive upgrades in subsequent phases until every school is equipped with a modern HVAC system.

Redwood City School District (RCSD) is gearing up for a new phase in its Facilities Master Plan (FMP) development process, inviting community members to engage in upcoming opportunities to provide feedback and shape the future of school facilities across the district.

The district expresses gratitude to the community for its continued support, emphasizing that these initiatives would not be possible without the support of Measure S, which voters approved in November of 2022.

A follow-up meeting was held to review these proposed solutions, prioritize campus needs, and gather additional feedback from the committee.

These drafts were created with significant input from the community, highlighting RCSD’s commitment to an inclusive planning process.

In a move aimed at reducing both energy costs and the school district’s carbon footprint, Redwood City School District (RCSD) will undergo a comprehensive lighting retrofit across its facilities.

The District Facilities Master Planning Committee recently held its first meeting to receive input from the Taft School Site Committee.

The School Board gave the green light for the expansion during its November 6 meeting, building on the success of Phase 1 and positioning RCSD as a leader in both environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility. 

The HVAC upgrade project is made possible through Measure S, a $298 million bond measure approved by RCSD voters in 2022.

The Board directed the Bond program management team to prioritize quick-start projects, focusing on cooling systems in classrooms without air conditioning.

Families, staff, and community members are playing a key role in shaping the future of their local school campuses by participating in these committees.