On June 3, 2008, voters in the Palo Alto Unified School District approved a $378 million bond, known as the Strong Schools Bond. The bond passed with 77.59% of the voters in favor, and allowed the PAUSD to implement the Long Range Facilities Master Plan that was presented to the School Board in April 2007, supporting growth, modernization and improvement of the facilities of the PAUSD.
In 2013, property owners were assessed $93.30 per $100,000 in assessed value, with the amount expected to decline each year until reaching $60 per $100,000 AV in 2022. The Bond program has brought new buildings, extensive renovations of existing structures, seismic updates and current technology to schools throughout the district.
Both high schools, all three middle schools and three of the twelve elementary schools have benefitted from this broad sweeping initiative. Here is a brief summary of the completed and ongoing projects in the district:
Gunn High School: a new Aquatic Center, renovation and additions to the Industrial Arts building, air conditioning installed in five existing buildings, a new two-story Math & English classroom building, a new World Language building and a new $13 million Gymnasium that accommodates 1900 spectators.
Palo Alto High School: improvements to the Tower Administration building (roofing repairs, paint & all new windows), Athletic Stadium Improvements, renovation of existing baseball & softball fields, a new two-story Media Arts building, a new two-story Math & Social Sciences building, and a new $24 million Performing Arts Center that will seat 592 (planned occupancy in 2016). The much-publicized new Paly Gymnasium will be funded partially by the Strong Schools Bond, but primarily by a private local donor, the Peery family.
Jordan Middle School: a new classroom wing located along the Middlefield parking lot, the new Cafetorium, renovation of music, art and science classrooms and upgrades to the exterior spaces. The running track that was recently installed around the perimeter of the school was made possible by an anonymous donor.
J.L. Stanford Middle School: a new two-story classroom wing housing ten new classrooms, renovations in several existing classrooms, and improvements to exterior spaces to improve drainage and student use of outdoor courtyard spaces.
Terman Middle School: the Administration and Library building was expanded and renovated, and two new classrooms and a new library were constructed as part of an addition to the east side of the building. Improvements also included renovations to the Cafetorium, a new drama classroom and all-new heating units.
Ohlone Elementary: a new two-story classroom building and modernization of existing classrooms.
Duveneck Elementary: an expanded library, a new two-story classroom building housing eight classrooms, and (2) new one-story classroom buildings. These new structures replace eight portable classrooms and add three additional classrooms to the campus.
Fairmeadow Elementary: a new two-story classroom building, modernization of existing classrooms, an expanded library, and relocation of kindergarten classrooms and play area.
District-wide Technology Upgrades: $9 million of the $10 million budget has been spent on the purchase of computers, technology walls and sound-assist systems, implementation of a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) telephone system, major upgrades to broadband wireless access points, and installation of wireless antennas at each school to enhance the network.
525 San Antonio Avenue Site Acquisition: 2.6 acre parcel purchased from Summer Hill Homes for $8,500,000. It is anticipated that this property will be used with the adjoining PAUSD-owned Greendell site at some point in the future. It is currently being leased to Athena Academy.
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