Bowditch Middle School unveils new gym, classrooms and library: San Mateo-Foster City School District sees progress on construction projects ahead of new bond request

Dr. Amanda Goll, principal at Bowditch, went to the Foster City school herself. At the ribbon-cutting, she said it was an honor to lead the school during a momentous occasion. 

“Having the ability to come back and serve as principal here, knowing this isn’t only an experience for our current students, but for generations to come, that means everything,” Goll said at the ribbon cutting ceremony. 

Around 200 people attended the ribbon cutting, celebrating the facility upgrades in awe, Trustee Allison Proctor said at the Board of Trustees meeting May 28. 

“I hope everyone that was there, while they loved it, also believes that every school deserves this and every child deserves to go to school in an environment that looks like Bowditch,” Proctor said. 

The new 59,027-square-foot facility replaces structures originally built in 1968. Now, students can learn in 26 updated classrooms, six science labs, a black box drama room, a full gymnasium, a new library, and a counseling and wellness center. 

“This is going to power the educational experience for kids in this community for the next 50 years,” Superintendent Diego Ochoa said in a press release. “That is truly something to celebrate.”

The improvements to Bowditch aren’t done just yet. The next phase will include demolishing two-thirds of the original structures to add a turf field and outdoor courts for basketball, volleyball and pickleball, according to the district’s 2026 Facilities Master Plan. 

Many sites in the San Mateo-Foster City School District are identified for significant upgrades in the Facilities Master Plan, particularly to address windowless and outdated classrooms. 

The master plan was approved in January 2026 with over $1 billion in identified projects, including $100 million intended for workforce housing. 

Measure X, a bond measure passed by voters in 2015 for $148 million, is effectively all spent, and 75% of Measure T, a bond measure passed in 2020 for $409 million, is spent as well. 

The Bowditch gym is the last building funded by Measure T — the rest of the bond is focused on maintenance, paving, turf and smaller upgrades, Amy Ruffo, district executive director of Facilities and Construction, said at the board meeting May 28. 

“That gym has been in constant use since it opened,” Ruffo said to trustees in a construction update presentation. 

At the district’s board of Trustees meeting in June, a resolution will be presented to place a new bond measure on the November 2026 ballot, to begin addressing the needs outlined in the Facilities Master Plan.