• Future High School
     
    Future High Image


    DUBLIN FUTURE HIGH SCHOOL TIMELINE/UPDATES

    Overview: Multi-phase project to build a new comprehensive high school on the east side of Dublin. Phase one of the project is designed to accommodate 1,300 students and includes academic towers, a gymnasium, visual and performing arts classrooms, administrative and counseling space, a football field, a track, and tennis courts. Once funded, phase two will feature an additional academic tower, theater, aquatic complex, and stadium bleachers. When finished, the new high school will accommodate approximately 2,500 students. A more detailed overview of Phases 1 & 2 can be found below.

    Funding Source (Phase One):

    • Measure H: $135M
    • Additional Funding (Approximately $31M): Various sources, including state reimbursement due from the construction of J.M. Amador Elementary School, existing developer fees, and developer fees received if the AT Dublin project is approved.

    From Measure H: "Construct initial phase(s) of new high school and all related improvements"

    Estimated Cost (Phase One): $166.6M

    Estimated Cost (Phases 1 & 2): $268.8M

    Architect: SIM-PBK

    Contractor: TBD

    DUSD Project Manager: Chris Stevens, Chief Facilities Operations Officer, Dublin Unified School District

    Groundbreaking Date: TBD

    Estimated Completion Date: Fall 2022 (for Phase 1 which will accommodate approximately 1,300 students)

    Location: Empty parcel of land between Central Parkway (North) and Dublin Boulevard (South) where Grafton Street and Finnian Way intersect

     

    STATUS OF LAND ACQUISITION: 

    October 2019: The District is acquiring the property for the future high school under the eminent domain process. Simply put, the government has the right to file a lawsuit to acquire private property for public use, so long as it pays just compensation or fair market value, even if the seller is not a willing participant.

    In the Fall of 2018, the District made an offer to purchase the property from its current owner but was not able to reach an agreement on price. As such, District staff recommended the Board authorize and direct the acquisition of the property via eminent domain. The District filed its eminent domain lawsuit in October 2018. In the February 26, 2019 Board meeting, legal counsel confirmed that, per statute, a trial date would likely not be set until approximately a year after the lawsuit commenced, meaning that if the parties could not negotiate a resolution through the eminent domain litigation process, a trial would not happen until after October 2019 or later.

    The property owner is not disputing the District’s right to purchase the property for use as the high school and is instead disputing the amount of compensation they should receive.

    The District and the property owner have engaged in one round of mediation regarding the purchase price and have a settlement conference coming up on November 14, 2019. If the parties are unable to agree on a purchase price, the matter is scheduled to go to trial on December 9, 2019, where a jury will determine the property value and the lawsuit will be resolved.

    In short, the process of acquiring the land is nearing completion. It has never been a question of “if” we can acquire the land via eminent domain, rather “when.”

    February 2019: During the February 26, Board meeting, district staff and legal counsel stated that the eminent domain action continues to move forward. The District has a verbal agreement with the owner to go to mediation. The District has deposited the probable amount of compensation, based on the appraised value of the property ($29.01M), into court. The property owner can settle and withdrawal the money at any time. If an agreement is not made, litigation drags on, and the school site design is ready to go, there is a statutory process to gain possession of the site before a final judgment so that the construction process can move forward and timelines are kept. Board president Miller asked if there was any doubt about the District's ability to acquire the land, and legal counsel said there was not. A video containing the full update can be found online at http://bit.ly/DUBD-BV-22619. You can jump to the specific segment addressing the high school by clicking item "F1" on the agenda. 

    PROJECT UPDATES

    2019

    October 15, 2019: The district issued a letter to the community regarding the status of the future high school project, pointing the community back to this update page for access to the fly-through video and new site renderings.

    Renderings based on the approved site design can be viewed at the following location: http://bit.ly/FutureHS-Renderings 

    October 10, 2019: Notice of Preparation: Draft Environmental Impact Report/Scoping Meeting at Fallon Middle School and Promenade High School Project EIR Scoping Meeting Presentation.

    July 18, 2019: Notice was given that the Dublin Unified School District has completed an Initial Study and Negative Declaration (IS/ND) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act for the future high school project at the Promenade site. Documents relating to this study are available for the public to review and download at http://bit.ly/DUSD-FHS-ISND

    June 25, 2019: Following multiple rounds of stakeholder input meetings, and design concept reviews, the District and design firm, SIM-PBK, presented a final site plan concept and educational program to the Board, which it unanimously approved during the June 25, 2019 meeting (item I.5 on the DUSD Board of Trustees agenda). 

    Download: Supporting Documents (Site Plan, Budget)

    Board Video: June 25 Meeting

    In August 2017, the Board initially budgeted $100 million for Phase I of the future high school, which was designed to accommodate 1,000 students. This initial budget was later expanded to $135 million to include a gym, with all monies coming from Measure H.

    The updated design, presented and approved by the board on June 25, incorporated many additional changes asked for in community stakeholder meetings, increasing Phase I student capacity to approximately 1,300 students at an estimated cost of $166.6 million. 

    The District plans to make up the difference between the money allocated for Phase I and the estimated cost of the expanded project through various sources, including state reimbursement due from the construction of J.M. Amador Elementary School, existing developer fees, and developer fees received if the AT Dublin project is approved. The Amador reimbursement alone is expected to be approximately $28 million.

    Phase II of the project will allow the site to house approximately 2,550 students at a total estimated cost (Phase I & II) of approximately $268.8 million. 

    Phase I Project Details:

    • Student Capacity: Approximately 1,300
    • Estimated Cost: $166.6 million
    • Currently Allocated Funds: $135 million from Measure H
    • Additional Funding: Various sources, including state reimbursement due from the construction of J.M. Amador Elementary School, existing developer fees, and developer fees received if the AT Dublin project is approved.
    • Tower One (Two-Stories): Administration & Counseling, Two-Story Library, 125-seat Lecture Hall, Food Court, and Student Union Space
    • Tower Two (Three-Stories): 22 Standard Classrooms, four Chemistry Labs, four Flex Science Labs, Special Education, and two Electronic Arts Rooms
    • Gymnasium: 2,500 seats with three full basketball courts
    • Locker Room: Boys & Girls Locker Rooms, Team Rooms, and a Weight Room & Training Room
    • Visual and Performing Arts Classrooms:  Music, Dance, Art, Ceramics, and Video Production
    • All-Weather Track
    • Synthetic Football/Soccer Field
    • Field Lights
    • Eight Tennis Courts

    Phase II Project Details

    • Student Capacity: Approximately 2,550
    • Estimated Cost (Phase I & II): $268.8 million
    • Funding: Funding for Phase II will require a future bond
    • Tower Three (Three-Stories): 27 Standard Classrooms, seven Science Labs, and four Engineering Labs
    • 820-seat Performing Arts Theater with Support Facilities
    • Aquatic Complex with 50-meter Competition Pool and Warm-Up Pool
    • Stadium Bleachers

    June 19, 2019: DUSD Facilities Workshop scheduled to review and prioritize projects and budgets. The future high school will be part of this discussion. The workshop starts at 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Board Room. 

    Download: Facilities Workshop Presentation (Future High School content starts on slide 36)

    Board Video: June 19 Meeting - We recommend you view the video when reviewing the presentation because it provides critical context that would be otherwise missed

    May 29, 2019: Architect firm SIM-PBK presented revised concepts to the Board based on ongoing community input. The firm is now waiting on direction from the Board regarding some key design areas. For more details, download the most recent presentation and watch the May 29 Board meeting video.

    Download: May 29 Presentation 

    Board Video: May 29 Meeting (Item D1 in the agenda) - We recommend you view the video when reviewing the presentation because it provides critical context that would be otherwise missed

    May 15, 2019: The Dublin Unified School District invited the community to provide input on the latest designs from architect firm SIM-PBK. Read the letter to the community for details.

    Download: Community Letter 

    May 8, 2019: The Dublin Unified School District held a Special Board Meeting/Facilities Workshop, where it reviewed the status of many projects, including the future high school. During the review of the future high school project, architect firm SIM-PBK shared three new design concepts based on community feedback. The materials that were presented can be downloaded below. We have also provided a link to the video of the board meeting (future high school discussion begins at the 57:00 mark) so that critical context is available. We highly recommend reviewing the presentation and video at the same time.

    Board Meeting Video: May 8 Meeting - We recommend you view the video when reviewing the presentation because it provides critical context that would be otherwise missed

    Download: Facilities workshop presentation

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    May 8, 2019: Cottonwood Creek students reviewed design concepts created by architect firm SIM-PBK. These six designs were based on stakeholder input received over the last month

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    May 7, 2019: Wells Middle School students reviewed six design concepts created by architect firm SIM-PBK. These six designs were based on stakeholder input received over the last month

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    May 2, 2019: Dublin High School students reviewed six design concepts created by architect firm SIM-PBK. These six designs were based on stakeholder input received over the last month

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    April 30, 2019: More than a hundred Fallon Middle School students reviewed six design concepts created by architect firm SIM-PBK. These six designs were based on stakeholder input received over the last month. 

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    April 22, 2019: During the April 22 meeting with the community representative group at Fallon Middle School, David Iwanaga and John Smith from architect firm SIM-PBK presented six updated high school design concepts based on input received from staff and community stakeholder groups over the last month. These six new concepts will be reviewed at various school sites and during the Facilities Workshop on May 8 at 5PM in the district office board room. The new concepts are part of the ongoing process of seeking stakeholder input in an effort to develop an educational specification that will result in the final high school design. In the attachment, slide 2 shows site easements, slides 3-12 show images from the stakeholder charrette activity on April 16, and slides 13-18 show six new design concepts based on stakeholder input.

    Download: Presentation from April 22 community meeting

    April 16, 2019: Parent and community representatives providing input for the future high school design conducted a mini "charrette" with the architects at Fallon.

    Future-High-1  Future-High-2  Future-High-3  Future-High-1  Future-High-6

    April 11, 2019: Stakeholder meetings were held with the following internal audiences: High School Counselors, Theater Manager, Athletics

    April 11, 2019: A stakeholder meeting was held at FMS with the following audience: Parent and Community members 

    April 11, 2019: Stakeholder meetings were held with the following internal audiences: Special Education, M&O/Custodial, IT Dept., Clerical Staff

    March 29, 2019: Stakeholder meetings were held with the following internal audiences: CTE, PTLW, Librarians, Tutoring

    March 28, 2019: All Dublin community members are invited to participate in a public forum with SIM-PBK partner David Iwanaga to provide input about priorities for the design of the school and suggestions for opening Phase 1 in 2022 with 1,000 students

    Download: Community input findings

    March 28, 2019: Stakeholder meetings were held with the following internal audiences: Child Nutrition, Art Teachers, Science Teachers, and Lab Support

    March 27, 2019 -- April 12, 2019: SIM-PBK partner David Iwanaga will meet with DUSD staff to gather input for specific design features of classrooms, specialized learning facilities (e.g. art, music, Special Education) athletic facilities, administrative facilities, food service areas, and other specialty areas

    March 21, 2019: Parents invited to participate on the Educational Specification Design team met with SIM-PBK partner David Iwanaga to explain the design process, describe the constraints of the property on the design of the new facility, gather input about priorities for the design of the school, and answer parent questions.

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    March 21, 2019: SIM-PBK partner David Iwanaga provided an update on the design process to staff at Dublin High School during an informal lunch meeting.

    March 7-14, 2019: Almost 150 community members completed a short application to participate as part of the Educational Specification Design team.  School site administrators and parent leaders reviewed applications from their communities and recommended participants. District leaders worked with the architect to expand the number of parent participants on the design team from 25 to 50.

    March 8, 2019: SIM-PBK partner David Iwanaga and district staff met with City of Dublin staff to identify all constraints on the development of the property that could impact the design and placement of facilities on the parcel.

    March 7, 2019: Initial Educational Specification meeting held at Dublin High School. SIM-PBK partner David Iwanaga met with classified and certificated staff representatives from both Dublin High School and Valley High School to explain the design process and answer staff questions about the timeline and process for design and construction

    Download: SIMPBK Architectural Services Presentation

    March 7: District-wide email communication sent regarding the ability to participate in input sessions for the new high school

    February 26, 2019: During the regularly scheduled Board meeting, the DUSD Business Services Department provided an update on the status of the future high school, including land acquisition via eminent domain. (Item F1)

    Late February 2019: Current Dublin High School and Valley High School staff members were invited to complete a survey

    2018

    November 13, 2018: Board asked to approve SIM-PBK Architects to provide architectural services in response to Request for Proposal 18/19-101 for the first phase of a future high school. Review of the conceptual animation showing what a new Dublin high school at the Promenade site might look like. [Conceptual animation video]

    September 25, 2018: The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to move forward with the acquisition of the Promenade site for use as a future high school. [Additional information] (Items H1, H2)

    July 17, 2018: A Special Board Meeting took place where two resolutions that were part of the process of acquiring the Promenade site were reviewed. [Additional Information] (Items G2, G3)

    June 12, 2018: The Board of Trustees approved the Promenade site as the location of a future high school. [Additional Information] (Item I5)

    At the regular Board meeting of June 12, 2018, the District took action to identify the “Promenade” site as the location of the Dublin Unified School District’s (DUSD) new high school.  The Promenade site is located on 23.4 acres south of Central Parkway, East of Chancery Lane, and north of Dublin Boulevard.

    During the Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Leslie Boozer reviewed the history of DUSD’s school site selection process, which commenced in the Fall of 2015 and has been ongoing since that time.  Dr. Boozer shared the recommendations of the Community Review Committee (CRC), which after extensive work, recommended five potential sites for the new high school in February of 2018.  District staff, including Dr. Boozer, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services, Joe Sorrera, and Chief Facilities Operations Officer, Bert Contreras, reviewed staff and third-party analysis of the five potential high school locations recommended by the CRC.  Due to various constraints on three of those sites, staff narrowed the focus to two possible locations.  Architect Laura Knauss, Education Practice Lead, at Lionakis, along with District staff, then further analyzed the remaining two options of converting Fallon Middle School into a potential high school and relocating the middle school and developing the Promenade site as a high school.  Dr. Boozer’s presentation materials can be found here.

    As part of their discussion at the Board meeting, District staff and Ms. Knauss reviewed the timeline relating to the future high school selection process, discussed each of the properties included in the CRC’s February report, and shared conceptual outlines of how high school facilities could be located on each of the two sites as prepared by the architect. The materials from this portion of the presentation to the public and Board can be found here.

    As a result of analysis done by DUSD and Lionakis, a recommendation was made to the Board of Trustees that the Promenade site be selected as the future high school site. Following the recommendation and public comment, the Board of Trustees approved the recommendation.

    PROMENADE SITE Q&A:

    What does the Promenade site decision mean?

    After review of all options, research, and data, the District is focused on acquiring the Promenade site for use as a future high school. The decision to focus on the Promenade site is a major milestone in the development of a new high school in Dublin.

    Is Promenade now the future high school site in Dublin?

    The Board has agreed to move forward with the attempt to secure Promenade with the specific intent that it be used as the future high school site. The site is owned by another party, with whom the District is now negotiating.

    What are the next steps in moving forward with the Promenade recommendation?

    With the Board’s approval of focusing on Promenade as the future high school site, the District will continue to move forward with efforts to acquire the property. Selection of a specific site also makes it easier to engage with an architect to start the design process, which can be run in parallel with site negotiations, with a goal of reducing the overall timeline of the project.

    What will be the process for design of the high school?

    More so than for other types of educational facilities, a high school’s design is heavily dependent on the development of a plan for the programs that will be housed at the high school. This programming process will involve extensive community input and public Board discussion. The District will go through a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) process to select the architect who will guide this process and who will ultimately design the facilities.  There will also be opportunities for Board review before any proposed design for the school is ultimately adopted.  

    Didn’t you already announce you were planning to buy the Promenade site months ago?

    On February 14, 2018, the Dublin Unified School District provided notice to the City of Dublin that it was investigating the acquisition of the Promenade site. The site was being analyzed for utilization as a future school location. At the time, the District had not determined if Promenade was better suited as a future high school site, as a replacement middle school site, or possibly for other school use. Converting Fallon to a high school was one of the options presented by the CRC, which would have then required the District to replace Fallon with a new middle school in eastern Dublin. The District has been engaged in a due diligence investigation of the Promenade site since that time. 

    Did the District attempt to purchase the site in April 2018?

    In April 2018, the Board approved the reinstatement of an amendment to the Right of Entry Agreement for property inspection and testing purposes at the Promenade site. The Board also approved contracts with Placeworks for a CEQA review, and with Terraphase Engineering for a limited phase II environmental investigation. Investigation of the property is required before the District can purchase the site.

    The Promenade site is smaller than Dublin High School, how can you create a comprehensive school in that location?

    As growth continues around the Bay Area, and available land becomes more scarce, school districts are increasingly designing school facilities in a very different way than they had in previous decades. School districts, including neighboring districts, are increasingly building multi-story facilities, having fewer total buildings on campus, and taking other measures to maximize increasingly scarce space. The Promenade site is geared towards a more urbanized setting, and the high school design will be different from the more open concept found at Dublin High. A future high school on the Promenade site will be a unique facility among DUSD sites and appropriately planned and designed to meet future educational needs and to blend with the denser surrounding environment. High-achieving high schools come in all sizes and configurations. The District will build a state of the art campus to house a comprehensive program and rigorous portfolio of course offerings for students. Students at the future high school campus will be afforded a broad range of extra-curricular activities including athletics, performing arts, clubs and more. Graduation requirements will be the same as they are at Dublin High School. The programming process described above will help ensure that the program and resulting facilities planned for the site will best meet the needs of DUSD and its community. The District is confident the Promenade property will be designed to meet the standards of outstanding education today and into the future.

    How many students will the Promenade site be able to accommodate?

    The initial phase of the future high school will accommodate a minimum of 1,000 students. The school will be designed so that it can later be expanded for a planned capacity of approximately 2,500 students.

    What is the target opening date for the second high school?

    Based on the timeline presented during the June 12, 2018 Board of Trustees meeting, fall of 2022 is the target for the first phase of a new high school to be complete. This timing will be impacted by a variety of factors, including when the District can take ownership of the property.  However, all planning will be undertaken with the goal of opening the facility as soon as possible.   

    Will the Board of Trustees be transparent regarding the property negotiations phase?

    While the Board of Trustees and the District value transparency and know it is important to the community, discussions of the specifics of property purchases and terms for negotiating those purchases must take place in closed session meetings to protect the district’s ability to negotiate the best deal on behalf of the taxpayers. If we were to discuss the options in detail in public, sellers have the opportunity to drive up the cost of property, thus leaving the district less money to devote to the design and construction. Also, many sellers require confidentiality through the negotiation process. This is not dissimilar from the process of buying a home. 

    How will the second high school project be funded?

    The Board of Trustees earmarked $100 million in Measure H funds for the initial phase of a future high school in eastern Dublin.

    Is $100 million enough to build the first phase of the high school?

    The design of the school will be developed with the Board’s budget for the school in mind. District staff have opined that the first phase of a comprehensive high school can be built on the Promenade site within this budget. Board members also made clear at their meeting of June 12 that if it is necessary to spend more to get the first phase of the high school that Dublin students deserve, the Board would be willing to do so. 

    April 10, 2018: During the April 10. 2018 Board meeting the Board approved the reinstatement of an amendment to the Right of Entry Agreement for property inspection and testing purposes at the Promenade site. The Board also approved contracts with Placeworks for a CEQA review, and with Terraphase Engineering for a limited phase II environmental investigation. Investigation of the property is required before the District can purchase the site. (Item J5)

    February 6, 2018: The Board of Trustees heard directly from the CRC as they presented their findings and answer questions about their work and corresponding report. (Item D1)

    2017

    August 23, 2017: Dublin Unified Trustees set capacity and initial funding allocation for future high school. [District Press Release]

    August 22, 2017: Measure H funding plan and prioritization based on DK-12 capacity needs analysis and suggested capacity for the future high school project discussed during regular Board meeting. (Item H1)

    August 8, 2017: the Dublin Unified School District initiated the formation of a Community Review Committee (CRC) to assess, analyze and explore options related to the plan for a future high school in the Dublin Unified School District. The CRC was comprised of 18 members representing stakeholders from across the district, chosen largely by fellow community members. The CRC worked under the direction of the Future High School Project Manager, a qualified professional from outside the District who served as a liaison between the committee and the District/Board of Trustees. The Project Manager, Doug Gephart, was hired in a temporary consulting role, and was not a voting member of the committee. (Item F2)

    May 23, 2017: Regular Board meeting held at DHS Sports Complex. (Item D1)

    February 1, 2017: The Board of Trustees eliminated four sites from the potential sites for a future high school in Dublin and directed staff to begin negotiations on remaining sites. Eliminated sites included: Camp Parks, Fallon Middle School, Croak Property, Chen Property. The Zeiss property on Hacienda and Gleason was added to the list. The Board of Trustees directs negotiations to begin for second high school site. [District Press Release]

    2016

    November 29, 2016: The Board of Trustees received a presentation from staff publicly outlining the property analysis process and the progress of site review. The Board provided direction to Facilities Staff regarding next-level analysis of sites, including appraisals, total project costs, budget updates, impacts to the City and funding sources.

    November 15, 2016: The Trustees were provided a Closed Session update that included analysis of price and terms of sale that would be required for building a future high school facility in Dublin. The analysis was the result of more than 1,000 hours spent by staff and consultants. Staff and Board members toured all sites. Staff has met with site developers, owners and representatives as well as the Division of State Architecture. Technical data was gathered for each property with regard to existing infrastructure and conditions.

    June 28, 2016: In a Work Study Session of the Board of Trustees, the Board examined potential property options for a second high school site. The Board directed staff to begin a next-level review on sites – specifically the cost to open a school on the site, the timeline to get an initial phase open and any program limitations or items that would eliminate a particular site. (Item D1). 

    June 7, 2016: Measure H passed by Dublin residents to fund various school-related activities, including the first phase of a future high school.

    April 2016: The District hosted Joint Meeting of the Dublin City Council and Board of Trustees in the DUSD Board Room to review the real property options for a second high school among other topics.

    April 2016: By resolution, the Board established amended priorities for the Measure H bond funding, including funding for the first phase of a future high school.

    March 2016: The final Facilities Master Plan was approved by the Board.

    March 2016: The Board approved the initiation of a $283 million general obligation bond measure campaign (“Measure H”) to provide facility funding to the district. [Resolution No. 2016-17-36]

    February 2016: Trustees voted on a recommendation by the Superintendent to begin the planning process to build a second high school in Dublin. [District Press Release]

    February 2016: The Board of Trustees invited the community to come to regular meetings and provide input on high school options via agenda items.

    January 2016: The Board of Trustees approved a contract with a new demographer, Davis Demographics.

    January 2016: The FMPC held a second community forum and a ranking activity was completed to refine the number of HS options being explored. Terra Realty began to identify potential sites and presented options to the FMPC.

    2015

    November 2015: Per the request of the Superintendent, the District solicited the services of a Real Estate Consultant to provide the guidance and expertise on property identification, assessment and negotiations as necessary. Terra Realty Advisors was awarded a contract to provide these services for the District.

    October 2015: The FMPC began monthly meetings to discuss the District’s facility needs, demographic trends, implementation of priorities and program cost/funding and scope of work. These meetings would continue through February 22, 2016.

    September 2015: The District held its first Community Forum as part of the Master Plan process and identified high school capacity as a focal point of the FMP process. The Facilities Master Plan Committee (FMPC) was formed to assist in the development of the FMP, provide input on conceptual master plans and prioritization of projects.

    July 2015: The Facilities Staff solicited proposals to hire a firm to partner with the district to prepare a comprehensive District Facilities Master Plan (FMP) to guide future school planning. The contract was awarded to LPA for the master planning process.

    FMP

    2015/2016 Facilities Master Plan: Initial phase of new high school outlined as a top priority.

    If you have questions pertaining to growth in Dublin Schools, email them to communications@dublinusd.org.