Building Our Future

A majority of the first phase of our Measure M Signature Projects have been successfully completed, including the Emerson/Da Vinci Junior High Science Classrooms, the Early Learning Center at Korematsu, new MPRs at Birch Lane, César Chávez, North Davis, and Willett, the Pamela Mari Da Vinci HighTech Hub and the program enhancements for CTE Engineering, Ag and Transportation facilities. These new state-of-the-art facilities not only modernize our schools but they provide our students and staff the opportunity to enhance education in a space that has been specifically designed to increase engagement as well as offer the tools needed to prepare for college/career readiness.

In total, these endeavors amounted to approximately $92 million! Hats off to our Capital Operations Team who worked collaboratively with contracted architect and construction crews to deliver each project at an average of 10% below budget, demonstrating efficient planning, organization and implementation!

We aren't done yet! Phase Two of our Signature Projects are now in motion. Keep reading to learn about additional projects coming to DJUSD and your neighborhood school sites and you can view the latest Bond Project Update to the Board of Education given on May 30, 2024 by visiting our meeting video archive.

The new STEM Building at DSHS will be the largest Measure M Bond project to be constructed. This new facility broke ground in Fall 2022 and, despite weather delays throughout 2023, we are still projecting a scheduled completion and move-in date this summer.

The new STEM building will lay a foundation of support for 12 new lab classrooms, prep rooms, restrooms and storage. Notably this new structure will provide our students and staff with exceptional facilities equipped with the latest technology, offering hands-on learning and innovation and ultimately preparing students for graduation and future academic endeavors. Stay tuned for a celebratory ribbon cutting event or you can follow progress and find more information on our website.

Due to the passage of Assembly Bill 130 the DJUSD Board approved the reprioritization of Bond Projects to mobilize formal design work for the construction of additional Transitional Kindergarten/Kindergarten classrooms at several of our elementary school sites. Early childhood education is pivotal in fostering school readiness, narrowing achievement gaps and is most notably known to enhance children's cognitive and social-emotional skills.

The first phase of early childhood education requisite facilities includes planning and design at Korematsu, Montgomery, North Davis, Pioneer and Willett elementary schools. Two classrooms will be constructed at each of the five sites. All proposals have been submitted for Division of State Architect (DSA- What's this?! Find out below 👇). We expect construction mobilization to begin this summer at all five sites with expected completion of the projects in summer 2025 and expected occupancy fall 2025.. Find out more, on our website!

DSHS will be diving into their next Signature Project once the construction of the STEM building is complete! The new Aquatic Center plan 🌊 will include state-of-the-art equipment as well as 17 lanes, 2 diving boards, space for regulation floating goal water polo courses as well as changing rooms, restrooms, an equipment room and deck and spectator space.

This modern amenity will not only enhance our athletic programs but it will provide our students with opportunities for swimming and water polo while simultaneously promoting health and wellness throughout our entire school community. Stay tuned for updates as we float into this new adventure together or check out our website for more info!

As part of the Bond Program funding from Measure M, the Davis Board of Education has prioritized a total of $3 million for fencing projects across DJUSD school sites. The goal of these projects is to improve safety and access control, by deterring pedestrian traffic across school grounds during school hours and limiting the number of entry points to campus. Each site will be uniquely designed to match the architecture, physical layout, staffing and other procedural factors for each campus.

In May 2024, DJUSD completed the second round of outreach for Phase One proposed fencing projects at North Davis, Willett, and Davis Senior High School. The feedback received from our students, staff and community has informed important conversations and discussion by the Board of Education. DJUSD will utilize the summer to update the fencing schematics for each of the three school sites.

The Board of Education Facilities Subcommittee will meet in August to discuss next steps. Following the sub-committee discussion, the proposals will be presented at a Board of Education meeting. Once receiving Board approval, the projects will undergo a bid process if necessary, or will be incorporated into existing construction contracts. Temporary fencing may be explored as part of the final design at some sites, pending feasibility.

The earliest implementation for phase one of fencing projects is Fall/Winter 2024. Outreach for Phase Two of the fencing projects will begin in the 2024-25 school year and will include Montgomery, Pioneer, and Korematsu elementary schools. Visit our website to see renderings of proposed fencing or for more information!

An array of panels are coming to a school site near you! DJUSD began Phase One solar implementation in 2021 and is currently in the construction phase at Da Vinci/Emerson Jr. High, Harper, Holmes, Korematsu, Pioneer and the Maureen Poole Capital Operations building. Because the subcontractor on this project went bankrupt, there has been a delay in the power installation. We are hopeful that the legal obstacles for the solar company will be finalized soon and we will see completion on these projects in the next few months. DJUSD is collaborating with external parties to expedite the project to ensure it will be operational in the near future.

The goal of this Measure M Bond Project is to offset District energy comsumption by a tremendous 80%. Our committment to sustainability and environmental stewardship is also a committment to our students and the greater community by helping to make the world a cleaner and safer place. Visit our website for photos, project details and information for the next phase of our solar implementation project. Here's to sunny days ahead! 🌞

To reference what these project phases mean, please visit our Bond Project page!

What's DSA you say? DSA is an abbreviation for Division of the State Architect. DSA provides design and construction oversight for California K-12 schools and ensures that we create and develop safe, accessible, and sustainable educational facilities. For more information on this process and what it means, please visit the DSA website.

Any large construction project is certain to impact adjacent residents. DJUSD wants to be a good neighbor, and we are doing everything reasonably possible to reduce traffic, noise and dust. Ongoing mitigation measures include traffic control plans, adherence to the the City of Davis construction work hour ordinance, frequent watering of construction areas to reduce dust, close coordination with the City and the Davis Police Department as well as thorough communication plans with school sites and adjacent neighbors. Thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate through these changes together.

DJUSD wants to keep you updated on all our Bond Projects. Here are some ways you can learn more:

• Bond Website: Find information on all things DJUSD Bond Program, including information on bond projects, presentations, bond news stories and more.

• Bond Calendar: View all of our previous and upcoming meetings about our various bond projects.

• Bond Public Outreach: Our public outreach website highlights our detailed communication plan for each bond project.

• Social Media: Follow DJUSD on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for additional highlights and pictures of our bond projects. #DJUSDBond.

• Contact us with questions or feedback at facilityplanning@djusd.net.

• Invite your friends and neighbors to subscribe to this e-newsletter!