Measure A/Facilities News Update
RVSD's Bond Team ¦ Education Specification Services ¦ Architects ¦ Citizens' Oversight Committee ¦ Quick Links
Bond Construction Contact Information:
| George Baranoff, Program Manager (415) 456-7018 gbaranoff@rossvalleyschools.org |
Fax: (415) 456-4889 | Cindi Clinton (415) 456-7018 cclinton@rossvalleyschools.org |
CEQA - White Hill Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration
Monthly Facilities Updates:
- October 2011 Update
- September 2011 Update
- July/August Update
- June Update
- May Update
- April Update
Measure A
In November 2010, the towns of San Anselmo and Fairfax passed Measure A, a Ross Valley School District bond that will raise $41 million to build new classrooms for all four of the elementary schools and for White Hill Middle School. New classrooms are needed to make room for the growing numbers of students in the District.
Measure A will add the classrooms needed to solve the overcrowding issue, while also improving sites in a fiscally responsible way.
Construction Timeline
The RVSD Board approved a preliminary timeline that is subject to change as the project progresses. Given the impending space issue at the middle school, White Hill will be the first campus to begin construction, with actual work beginning the spring of 2012. New classrooms will be completed by the start of the 2013-2014 school year. Currently, the Bond Team is working with architects and sites developing schematic design.
Construction at elementary schools will follow. Overcrowding at the elementary schools is being addressed on a temporary basis until new classrooms can be built.
Teams Involved
Many qualified people, organizations, and firms will work together to complete the scope of work defined by Measure A. The District’s Bond Team is responsible for managing the project, WLC Architects is responsible for providing educational specification services and WRNS Studio, Quattrocchi Kwok and Murakami/Nelson will be providing architectural planning and design services.
The Bond Team is responsible for managing the entire scope of the project as defined by Measure A. This team will be working on-site at the District office and will stay together for the duration of the project. Members are:
George Baranoff
George Baranoff comes to Ross Valley School District with over 30 years experience in commercial, government and residential construction serving as a Project Manager and Civil Engineer. George has a degree in civil engineering and has worked for large corporations such as Bechtel and United State Steel and small local companies designing and managing both large and small projects. George has spent the last 10 years working in school construction. He worked for the Ross Valley School District from 2001-2006 implementing the District’s last Facilities Bond program. In additional to project management of the $21 Million dollar program, he was instrumental in securing grants and oversaw the $2.1 million district wide solar project. George served as Bond Program Manager and Senior Director of Facilities and Modernization for the Tamalpais Union High School District from 2006-2010 implementing their $80 million Facilities/Bond Program.Contact Info: gbaranoff@rossvalleyschools.org
Bret Joyner, RVSD Director of Maintenance/Pre-Bond Project Manager
Bret Joyner has worked with the RVSD for 10 years. During that time, he has worked on many District facilities projects, including the new construction and modernization of Upper Brookside and Wade Thomas between 2000 and 2006. He has managed many large-budget projects including a $1.4 million modernization of Wade Thomas. He stays up to date on all new construction trends and materials and is well connected to colleagues in neighboring school districts.Contact Info: bjoyner@rossvalleyschools.org.
Cindi Clinton, Bond Administration Coordinator
Cindi Clinton has 10 years experience working with school construction programs. She worked for the Ross Valley School District from 2001-2006 supporting the implementation of the District’s last Facilities Bond program. She also has worked for Marin Community College and the Tamalpais Union High School District where she served as support staff for their Facilities/Bond programs.Contact Info: cclinton@rossvalleyschools.org
Educational Specification Services
What are Ed specs and why do we need them?
The Educational Specifications, much like the Facilities Master Plan are an integral part of the facility planning process. The Educational Specifications link the design of school facilities to the educational program that the school district intends to deliver. These specifications become the vehicle the architect uses to translate the curriculum and the instructional program into a practical, economic and functional educational environment that can help shape the way school districts enter the 21st century and influence the quality of life in our schools.
Who is involved in developing ed specs?
Development of educational specifications is a collaborative process, led by the firm hired to provide these particular services. This firm works with the Bond Team and meets with staff, teachers, administrators and students to get input.
About WLC
The Ross Valley School District Board approved hiring WLC Architects to provide educational program planning for White Hill and all four elementary schools.
Visit http://www.wlcarchitects.com/ for more information.
The Ross Valley School District Board approved hiring WRNS Studio to provide architectural planning and design services for the new construction of White Hill Middle School.
See the WRNS Studio Board presentation
Visit http://www.wrnsstudio.com/ for more information.
The Ross Valley School District Board approved hiring Quattrocchi Kwok to provide architectural planning and design services for the new construction of Brookside Upper and Brookside Lower.
See the QKA Board presentation
Visit http://www.qka.com/ for more information.
The Ross Valley School District Board approved hiring Murakami/Nelson to provide architectural planning and design services for the new construction of Manor and Wade Thomas.
See the Murakami/Nelson Board presentation
Visit www.murakaminelson.com/ for more information.
After a bond authorized under Proposition 39 is passed, state law requires that the Ross Valley School District Board of Trustees appoint a Citizens’ Oversight Committee to work with the District. Committee responsibilities are in accordance with Education Code Section 15278(b):
- Inform the public concerning the District's expenditure of Measure A bond proceeds;
- Review expenditure reports produced by the District to ensure that Measure A bond proceeds were expended only for the purposes set forth in Measure A; and
- Present to the Board of Trustees in public session, an annual written report outlining their activities and conclusions regarding the expenditure of Measure A bond proceeds
Citizens' Oversight Committee
On May 23rd, the Board of Trustees approved the superintendent’s recommendation for the following five individuals for the Citizens' Oversight Committee. Two vacancies are yet to be filled.
- Trevor Hughes (School: Manor – Past)
- David Metz (School: Wade Thomas)
- Stuart R. Brunet (School: None)
- Mark Chedekel (School: Manor/White Hill)
- Benedetto Cico (School: Brookside Upper/White Hill)
If interested in joining, please review the Committee Bylaws (Click Here to View) for more information about the committee’s role and responsibilities and complete the COC Application (Click Here to View).
Completed applications should be sent or faxed to the Superintendent’s Office of the Ross Valley School District. Positions will be open until filled.
Ross Valley School District
110 Shaw Drive, San Anselmo, California 94960
Telephone: (415) 454-2160 FAX: (415) 454-6840
Bond summary
Schematic Design
On April 5th, the Board of Trustees approved a schematic design for White Hill Middle school presented by architects WRNS Studio and the RVSD Bond Team.
A Schematic Design establishes the general scope, conceptual design, scale and relationship among the components of the project. The primary objective is to arrive at a clearly defined, feasible concept. WRNS prepared a series of rough plans, known as schematics, which show the general arrangement of the buildings and functions on the site. To develop these schematics, they met with the RVSD Bond Team, the Facilities Executive Planning Committee, and staff at White Hill in workshop type meetings.
Given the Board’s approval, the project will proceed to the next phase – design development.
Site Committee Meetings
Site Committee meetings are taking place at White Hill, Upper Brookside and Lower Brookside to discuss needs for creating the optimal learning environment. Meeting attendees include RVSD Bond Team and respective staff at each site. These meetings will continue throughout the schematic and design process.
Citizen’s Oversight Committee
The deadline for application submission for the Citizen’s Oversight Committee was Friday, April 22nd. The Superintendent will review applications received and make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees at a May Board meeting.
Number of Classrooms
On May 24th, the Board of Trustees approved a staff-recommended change in the number of new classrooms to be built on each elementary campus. Given the results of the boundary study, a proposal had been introduced to increase by one the number of proposed classrooms at Manor and Brookside Lower with a corresponding decrease of new classrooms at Brookside Upper. Staff met with school site staff and architects and determined that this change was feasible. Revised number of classrooms are as follows:
- Manor – 3 new classrooms (vs. 2); 20 total
- Brookside Lower – 5 new classrooms (vs. 4); 20 total
- Wade Thomas – 4 new classrooms (increases to five “new” spaces if Marin County of Education SDE moves to Brookside Upper); 20 total
- Brookside Upper – 4 new classrooms (vs. 6); 17 total
This decision will allow the architects to proceed with schematic drawings for elementary campuses.
Vision Field Trip
The Superintendent, Bond Team, White Hill Principal and key teachers visited Tam High School and American Canyon High School on May 24th to get a first-hand look at innovative classrooms that demonstrate flexibility and current use of technology. The purpose of this visit was to provide further inspiration to development of the White Hill vision for new facilities. American Canyon High School also illustrates use of small learning communities.
Bond Program Manager
On May 3rd, the Board of Trustees approved the staff’s recommendation to establish the Bond Program Manager position to provide oversight and implementation of all bond projects related to Measure A. Through review and analysis of other school districts in and out of Marin County, it is relevant and cost effective to the District to have this as a regular position of the District vs. hiring an independent contractor.
First Bond Series Sold
In the month of May, the first series of bonds were sold for $10 million. This money will go towards beginning construction at White Hill and planning at elementary schools.
Citizen’s Oversight Committee
On May 23rd, the Board of Trustees approved the superintendent’s recommendation for the following five individuals for the Citizen’s Oversight Committee. Two vacancies are yet to be filled.
- Trevor Hughes (School: Manor – Past)
- David Metz (School: Wade Thomas)
- Stuart R. Brunet (School: None)
- Mark Chedekel (School: Manor/White Hill)
- Benedetto Cico (School: Brookside Upper/White Hill)
If interested in joining the committee, please contact rvsuper@rossvalleyschools.org
Lease Lease Back
The Board of Trustees approved George Baranoff, Bond Program Manager, to issue Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Lease-Leaseback Services for bond projects at White Hill Middle School. Given the extensive and complex projects planned on this campus, this method of delivery will allow for a single point of contact to help streamline communications, centralize coordination and site access, and will improve the effort to minimize impact to curriculum and disruption to the surrounding community.
Additionally, the Lease-Leaseback will be able to better evaluate the plans and specifications in advance of pricing and, therefore, potential change orders may be discovered and resolved early in the schedule. This provides value engineering opportunities during Guaranteed Maximum Price negotiations and reduces change orders over the life of the contract.
Using the Lease-Leaseback method, qualification statements will be solicited in a Request for Qualifications. Respondents will be screened and interviews will be conducted with candidates selected on the basis of criteria in the RFQ. The criteria for selection of the Developer/Builder will include specific experience, performance record and available resources.
White Hill Middle School Schematic Design Input
The Ross Valley School District held two public meetings on June 27th to acquire community input regarding the Schematic Design for White Hill Middle School. WRNS architects, hired to provide architectural services for projects at White Hill, presented a series of schematics drawings which showed the general arrangement of the buildings and functions on the site. The schematics showed all the major improvements planned including the placement of the gym/multi- purpose building that is scheduled to be constructed in the final phase pending state funding. Parents, teachers, and community members attended.
White Hill Middle School Schematic Design Approval
On Tuesday, June 28th, the Board of Trustees approved Schematic Design, Scheme A for White Hill Middle School. Scheme A features two-story SLC (small learning community) “houses” or buildings for seventh and eighth graders as well as incorporating environmental features to maximize natural light, ventilation and natural hydrology. The Schematic Design phase will continue throughout the summer in terms of cost estimating and developing elevations. Leading up to this approval, the Board reviewed preliminary schematic designs on April 4th, and then input was gathered from White Hill staff, Round Table and community meetings to prepare the two options that were presented to the board.
Schematic Design Scheme A - Level 1
Schematic Design Scheme A - Level 2
Land Survey and Geo Tech Services Retained
The District retained Cinquini & Passarino, Inc. for Land Surveyor Services. Their work is complete and the District now has current topographic maps to use during design and construction. The District also retained Geoshpere Consultants to drill and collect soil samples at all school sites and this field work has been completed. They are currently developing recommendations for foundation design and State-required reports.
Teacher and Staff Meetings at White Hill
Bond Program Manager, George Baranoff, and WRNS Studio architects met with 6th grade teachers and Principal David Finnane to discuss the design process and gather input on what’s needed to make the current 100 building a good fit for the 6th grade program. The architects are drafting a proposal based on this teacher and staff input. WRNS and George also met with the 7th and 8th grade teachers and David to discuss basic design and relationship between the spaces and other aspects of the proposed design. The architects gathered input and are now considering how to incorporate ideas heard at the meeting.
White Hill Lease Leaseback RFQ/RFP
The Request for Quotation/Request for Proposal for the Lease Leaseback project at White Hill was advertised and sent to potential developers. Proposals are due at the end of August.
Preliminary Designs at Back to School Nights
Bond Program Manager George Baranoff will be attending all Back to School Nights with draft preliminary designs of each campus and will be available to answer questions.
Elementary Schools Update
Schematic Design Plans were displayed at Back to School Nights for parents and staff to view and provide comments to the Bond Construction Department. These are preliminary drawings and have yet to be approved by the board. Ideas for location of additional classrooms were generated at meetings held at each site including the staff, bond team and architect. These meetings will continue throughout the planning process.
Additionally, the Board of trustees approved moving forward with a modular classroom at Manor to accommodate increased enrollment. The playground structure will be relocated slightly east to provide the necessary space. Two additional classrooms are planned at this campus to be constructed in 2014.
White Hill Update
The Bond Construction team will give an update at the October 11th Board meeting regarding progress at developing options for bringing the White Hill project in budget per Board direction. The ongoing development of these options has been a collaborative effort including White Hill staff, the bond team and the architect. The Board will vote on the design development plan at the October 18th meeting
The Board has selected Plant Construction to be the developer on the White Hill project subject to negotiation.
Citizen Oversight Committee
The Citizen Oversight Committee is scheduled to meet on October 19, 2011. At the first meeting, the committee will review roles and responsibilities and the Bond Program budget.
Elementary Schools Update
Brookside Upper and Lower Schematic Designs
On October 18, 2011, bond staff presented preliminary schematic design to the Board. The Board asked staff to present these drawings to the teachers, parents and community members for further input before returning for Board approval. Additionally, George Baranoff, Bret Joyner, Dr. Marty Powers, and four kindergarten teachers visited recently-modernized Ross Elementary school to observe the morning rush given the location of the kindergarten building and the playground are similar to one of the options being proposed for Brookside Upper.
BUC Schematic 10-18-11
BLC Schematic 10-18-11
Field Trip to Ross School District
Community Meetings
The architects and bond staff had meetings with teachers, parents and the community to present schematic designs at each of the elementary school sites. Additional meetings are scheduled to continue in November and the schematic designs for the elementary schools will come to the Board for approval on November 29, 2011.
Manor’s Additional Classroom
Marshal Lee Architects, the District’s Architect of Record, will be assisting with the modular classroom at Manor School. The play structure has already been relocated to make way for the modular classroom which should be in place and ready for students after the winter break.
White Hill Update
Design Plans Approved
On October 18, 2011 the Board approved the Design Development Plans as presented by WRNS Architects. The approved plans put the project within budget. The architects will now prepare detailed working drawings and specifications which the Contractor will use to establish actual construction cost and build the project.
White Hill Design 10-18-11
Citizen Oversight Committee Meeting
The Citizen Oversight Committee had its first meeting on October 19th. The group discussed roles and responsibilities, requested additional information and set the next meeting of February 2012.
Coming soon- The Citizen Oversight Committee will have their own webpage!
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
On October 17, 2011, the District issued a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the White Hill Middle School Proposed Construction. The notice announced the availability of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, identified where it was available for review and described the project and its location. The notice also specified the tentative date, time and location of the possible approval of the adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration. Copies of the Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration were posted at the White Hill Middle School campus, at the District office and on the district website. Copies of the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration were provided to the State Clearing House at the Office of Planning and Research and also available for public review at the Ross Valley School District Office.
A community meeting was held to offer an explanation of the document by the District’s CEQA consultant. The public may submit written comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration to be considered. Bond staff intends to bring the Study with incorporated comments to the November 29, 2011 Board of Trustees meeting with a recommendation that the Board adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the White Hill Middle School Construction Plan.
For more information about a Mitigated Negative Declaration and the adoption process, visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/habcon/ceqa/intrnlproced/neg_dec.html.
