Major high school renovations under way

Palm trees are tied together in the athletic quad, one of three open gathering areas at Capuchino High School in San Bruno.

School is still out but the campus is busy with people finishing the work on the major renovations of the campus. Once completed, about $60 million worth of work will be done at the San Bruno school. The result is a beautiful campus that features classrooms with natural light, an upgraded gym, new humanities buildings and, by winter break, a renovated theater and music room. Creating the overhaul is a long process. Most of the work was funded by Measure M, a $298 million bond measure approved by voters in 2006. Work really didn’t get started on the San Mateo Union High School District campuses, however, until about three years ago.

"It has the most beautiful, functional buildings,” said Trustee Linda Lees Dwyer.

Before getting started, the needs of teachers and students were discussed at length before creating the plans. As a result, Dwyer noted the facilities are inviting, functional and will support students who will actually want to be in the facilities.

Todd Lee of Greystone West, who is overseeing the Measure M projects, said people will begin moving into the new classrooms Monday. The theater won’t be up and running by the start of school, but Lee estimated it should be completed by winter break. Then there are some smaller projects left for the campus like getting rid of portable classes, repaving the parking lots, finishing landscaping and installing solar panels in the parking lot, said Lee.

Elizabeth McManus, deputy superintendent of business services, pointed out the use of natural light within the classrooms and individual thermostats in the rooms. She also enjoys how the campus now offers three separate gathering areas for students.

Trustee Peter Hanley recalled working as a volunteer teacher on the campus in the late ’80s, early ’90s. At the time, he said the school was a dreary place that was falling apart. Seeing those kind of facilities was part of the reason Hanley decided to run for the board.

"That school is going to be a different place than it has been in the past,” said Hanley. "I think it’s going to be one of the flagship schools of the district.”

Capuchino is just one example of the renovations wrapping up throughout the district. While most of the upgrades were funded through Measure M, the district also utilized various grants. Getting the projects started was a challenge.

Shortly after Measure M’s approval, the board postponed using funds after controversy over the finances — particularly in regards to a contract with Skanska, a firm hired to oversee construction — came to light. In April 2007, the district cut ties with the company and restarted the planning process. After an eight-month hiatus, the board began hiring companies to begin construction.

In 2008, district officials realized flawed bond language limited the debt to 25-year bonds. The district successfully petitioned the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to amend the bond language to allow for both 25-year and 40-year bonds. The change extended taxpayers payments up to an additional 15 years — from 2037 to 2052 — but allowed the district to finish the original renovation plans. By 2009, the district was able to start issuing bonds and beginning construction.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by email: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.