Board Reviews Draft Plan for $777M in School Facility Improvements
In a step toward shaping the future of Redwood City School District (RCSD) school campuses, the Board of Trustees reviewed the first draft of the updated Facilities Master Plan (FMP)—a strategic roadmap for upgrading and modernizing school facilities over the next 8 to 10 years. 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.
Integral to the planning process is a robust framework for informed decision-making and resource allocation. The FMP is built on several key components:
- Facility Condition Assessments (FCA): In-depth evaluations of infrastructure and building conditions across all school campuses.
- Demographic and Enrollment Projections: Forecasts through 2030 to align facility capacity with future enrollment trends.
- Educational Adequacy Reviews: Analysis of how well current spaces support 21st-century instructional models and the school district’s educational specifications.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Feedback from community meetings, staff surveys, school site committees, and walkthroughs to ensure alignment with local priorities.
- Financial Alignment: Strategic coordination with existing and anticipated funding, including Measure S, state programs, and developer fees.
During the study session, Board members focused on prioritization—balancing what’s legally required, what will be more costly if delayed, and what themes should guide investment decisions. Trustee Weekly emphasized the importance of embedding research-based practices on how facilities impact learning, while Trustee Wells advocated for aligning improvement themes to ensure clarity and consistency.
Discussions also addressed long-term savings from transitioning out of expensive-to-maintain portable classrooms, especially in Child Development Centers (CDCs), and the importance of matching facility capacity with projected enrollment.
The Bond Team will incorporate Board feedback, send it to principals to gather school-level input before presenting the final version to the Board later this spring.
Visit the April 23 Board Agenda Item to Review the FMP Draft