A quarterly bond update was delivered at Thursday’s school board meeting. The biggest item discussed was the modernization of Benicia Middle School’s campus.

BMS modernization

One of the largest remaining items to be funded by Measure S is new construction at BMS to give the school more of a 21st century look. Lee Pollard of HY Architects had presented plans for the redesign in 2017, which included new modular classrooms, a modernized courtyard and a new kitchen and drama room. Pollard said a meeting with staff was held on Jan. 9, which led to some changes in the draft design. Drama teacher Cathy Wright told Pollard she did not like the idea of having the new drama classroom near the basketball courts because of the noise. It was decided that the classroom would be taking over two classroom spaces near the library. The spaces would be converted into a black box theater with space for performance and seating. Pollard said the area would need soundproofing next to adjacent classrooms and additional windows.

Pollard said Wright had also told him that her students rehearsed in groups and did not have enough space, so she requested outdoor practice space. She also suggested a path at the front of the campus for parents to attend performances after school hours.

“This gives us an opportunity to bring the parents in and have them go straight into a drama classroom for a performance without them having to wander all the way through the school,” Pollard said.

According to Pollard, Wright’s suggestions would cost about half of what was initially proposed for a new drama classroom. With the loss of an extra teaching space, however, three modular classrooms would be added to the northwest corner instead of the initial plan of two.

Pollard also went into further detail on proposed changes to the interiors of the buildings, including upgrades to the library.

“Libraries in schools today are 21st-century places,” he said. “They’re not just stacks of books anymore.”

Among the proposed new features are group learning spaces, new lounge furniture and bookshelves, skylights and folding partition walls to give students more flexibility in their learning.

Classrooms would also receive major upgrades with larger whiteboard space, flexible furniture, flat-screen TVs and brighter colors.

“The idea is to bring it into a more exciting, student-friendly space,” Pollard said.

In terms of exterior changes, Pollard said a new fence with various colors along with sail structures to provide shade while students are waiting to be picked up would be located at the front of the school. The buildings would be given more colors, wave designs would be added to the floors, concrete spheres and drinking fountains with the ability to fill water bottles would be installed, new benches and tables would be put in place and the fencing would be upgraded to make the campus more inviting.

Pollard said the project would have three phases. The first phase would consist of constructing a new modular classroom building with three new classrooms. Pollard hopes the sketches will be completed in the spring so the building could be constructed in the fall.

“They’ll be in the corner, so they shouldn’t impact classes too much, Pollard said.

The second phase would consist of modernizing the library, classrooms, drama room and exterior spaces, which Pollard hopes to have ready by the summer of 2019. The final phase would consist of an addition to the kitchen and a new lunch structure.

Trustee Peter Morgan asked about the durability of the sail structures. Pollard said the product was pre-approved by the Division of State Architect and was more plastic than fabric. It would have a lifespan of 20 years, but Pollard said it would need to be replaced after that time.

Additional updates

Measure S Bond Director Roxanne Egan delivered the rest of the presentation by discussing the rest of the bond projects in progress. In addition to the BMS modernization, Egan anticipates fire alarm replacements at Mary Farmar and Robert Semple elementary schools to be completed this summer, Matthew Turner Elementary’s fire alarm upgraded in 2020 and Joe Henderson Elementary and Liberty High School’s fire alarm replaced in 2019. Additional projects include replacing Benicia High School’s gym floor, alternative education improvements— which included the completion of new windows at Liberty—, miscellaneous infrastructure upgrades and renovation of Benicia High’s Performing Arts Building (PAB). Egan said the district submitted for a PAB Career Technical Education (CTE) grant which would grant a maximum of $3 million. The first of three phases was approved, the second phase of the process will be submitted next week with results expected in June and the third phase would be getting in line for grant money. Egan said it could be a few years before the money is received, so discussions are being held on what changes to the PAB they want to prioritize first.

“We just have had that initial conversation within the district management, trying to say what’s realistic and what are things we might be able to do that would still be utilized for later development in this phase,” she said.

Some things the district can do in this early phase are projects like sound system and electrical upgrades, Egan said.

Additional projects discussed for board consideration include bathroom facility upgrades at Joe Henderson, perimeter fencing improvements at all sites and modernization of Mary Farmar’s campus. As the parent of a Farmar student, Trustee Celeste Monnette felt this was especially important, a view echoed by parents and staff at the school.

“We have a lot of old portables, and a lot of spaces aren’t really usable,” she said.

Egan said the district is trying to listen to people’s voices while still prioritizing budget needs.

“Our performing arts are very important,” she said. “Mary Farmar’s very important, and as we’ve gone through this process trying to prioritize, we have so many needs and there’s more needs than money and time, so it’s trying to make people feel heard and that we care and we’re sympathetic.”

Still, Egan said a big question throughout the process has been, “How do you decide what goes first?”

In other business, four members of the board— Trustee Stacy Holguin was absent—approved site and district safety plans, and Liberty High Principal Zachary Pless and Arts Benicia Director Celeste Smeland highlighted the school’s Art Club. The board also observed a moment of silence for former human resources technician Anne Rogers and former Robert Semple teacher Diane Wassmann, who died on Jan. 1 and Jan. 30 respectively, as well as the victims of Wednesday’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

The board will next meet Thursday, March 1.