Once again, Measure S updates will be discussed at the school board’s first meeting of the 2017-18 school year. (File photo)

Benicia Unified School District schools are nearly back in session for the 2017-18 year, and so are the Governing Board meetings. As is usually the case, one of the items on the agenda is devoted to providing an update on the status of Measure S bond projects.

Measure S is an initiative approved by Benicia voters in 2014 to provide $49.6 million in bond funding for renovation and upgrades of school facilities. Bond projects completed to date include upgrading the technology infrastructure at all seven schools, playground enhancements at all four elementary schools, exterior painting at Benicia High School and repairing the roofs at Benicia Middle School and Mary Farmar Elementary School.

Bond Director Roxanne Egan will deliver an update on items that were discussed at the July 25 BUSD Citizens’ Oversight Committee meeting, as well as updates on items being funded by Measure S.

In a written report, Egan identified two Measure S items that were under construction by mid-July: an upgrade to Benicia High’s fire alarm system as well as its stadium and track. The former item is expected to be completed by October, while work is wrapping up on the new George Drolette stadium with a grand opening likely to be held in the fall.

Additionally, two more items are in the planning stages: modernization of the Benicia Middle School campus, and fire alarm upgrades at Mary Farmar and Robert Semple elementary schools. Construction on the former item is estimated to begin in the summer of 2018, while construction on the latter item is expected to commence the fall of that same year.

Finally, Egan identified four more items that are being planned but have no scheduled start time: fire alarm upgrades at Liberty High School as well as Joe Henderson and Matthew Turner elementary schools, modernization projects at the elementary schools and/or Benicia High, improvements to the gym floor at Benicia High and alternative education improvements.

According to a spreadsheet provided by Egan, $16 million has been spent on all the Measure S projects with $30.6 million remaining in the balance.

In other business, Dr. Carolyn Patton, BUSD’s director of student services; and BHS Principal Brianna Kleinschmidt will discuss Benicia High’s new bell schedule as well as its shift to a more inclusive model of services for its special education students. Patton will also join Assistant Superintendent Dr. Leslie Beatson for a report on the district’s summer programs, and Superintendent Dr. Charles Young will be highlighting the work of the district’s maintenance and operations department.

The board will meet at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 17 in the Benicia Unified School District Board Room at the district building on 350 East K Street. There will be an earlier closed session at 6 p.m.

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