High school district finds d.tech home: Charter school will move to Burlingame after agreement with county Office of Education

Mills High School has granted space on its campus in Millbrae to d.tech since the charter school joined the district last year, but the relationship has been contentious at times, as frustrations over facility constraints and the impact of co-location on both schools have grown over time.

Officials are now hopeful though that the two-year agreement between the district and county Office of Education will squelch any future concerns regarding the destination for the charter school, which offers students an education immersed in technology and innovation curriculum.

Superintendent Scott Laurence lauded the agreement, and said he believed it is in the best interest of both schools.

“It’s nice when things come together,” he said. “It’s a space that will be applicable for the needs of d.tech, and I believe Mills will enjoy some growth naturally and free up some space for them as we grow in enrollment.”

Board of Trustees President Marc Friedman echoed those sentiments.

“I think this is an excellent resolution,” he said. “This is an excellent facility that will serve d.tech well.”

The location on Rollins Road is currently home to the Career Technical Education program offered by the Office of Education.

D.tech will fill five classrooms, 1,500 square feet of administrative space and share additional facilities with the programs already in place at the facility in Burlingame, according to a district report.

Laurence said throughout the search process, the site on Rollins Road has always been the district’s preferred destination.

Friedman noted the campus is centrally located in relation to the rest of the district.

“It’s convenient for driving and it’s near BART,” he said, “It’s a great location.”

The decision to relocate d.tech will not be finalized until school officials sign the agreement, which is contingent on approval by the Board of Trustees.

Laurence said he has communicated with d.tech director Ken Montgomery throughout the process of attempting to find the school a long-term home, and said he was hopeful the school would agree to the resolution.

“It’s a matter of coming to crossing the finish line,” he said. “We would hope this would be a good resolution for them.”

Friedman said he expected the board to unanimously approve the agreement during the meeting.

The district had considered offering the charter high school space on the San Mateo Adult School campus in San Mateo, or on the former Crestmoor High School in San Bruno, while searching for possible destinations.

Many members of the community at Mills High School had expressed concern about the impact that d.tech was having on the high school. The charter school has been growing by a class size each ear, and anticipates being at full capacity next year.

Laurence had said finding a home for d.tech was one of the toughest challenges he faced during his time at the head of the district.

Looking beyond the second year of the agreement with the Office of Education, Friedman said he expects d.tech will look to find another permanent location.

According to a district report, d.tech has also considered relocating to space on the Oracle campus located in Redwood Shores.

But for the time being, Laurence expressed appreciation to the county Office of Education for helping the district find an agreement.

“The county has allowed us to come to the resolution,” he said.

The district will meet at its board meeting Thursday. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the San Mateo Adult School, 789 E. Poplar Ave.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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