Facilities Planning

 

The Union Hill School District (UHSD) provides high-quality traditional education for over 700
students from preschool through elementary and middle school. Dedicated teachers and staff
are committed to providing a safe learning environment that promotes academic excellence,
responsible citizenship, and a lifelong desire for learning. Strong traditional schools that nurture
successful students improve the quality of life in our community and protect the property value
of local homes.

 

We are proud of the excellent academic opportunities in our Union Hill School and our Bearcat
Discovery Preschool, but the quality and condition of the school facilities are not meeting the
needs of our students. The Union Hill School District has a rich history, serving the children of
our community for almost 160 years. Today, many of our classrooms and other facilities are 85
years old and need repairs and upgrades to support current safety standards and quality
student instruction.

While school maintenance staff do their best to keep classrooms and school facilities safe and
clean, our schools were built to safety and educational standards from a different era. Basic
repairs and upgrades are needed to keep UHSD classrooms and facilities safe and functioning
for our students.

Over the past several months, the district has met with parents, teachers, staff, and community
members to focus on planning efforts for Union Hill School classrooms and facilities. The
committee worked with a school architect to create a Facilities Master Plan to prioritize and
plan improvements that will provide students with a safe and up-to-date learning environment
they need to be successful students and prepared for high school and beyond.

Some of the projects identified through this process include:

- Improve the drop-off/pick-up area to increase student safety near Hwy 174
- Repairing or replacing leaky roofs, rusty plumbing, and deteriorating HVAC systems
- Updating classrooms to meet current educational standards
- Upgrading student restrooms
- Installing and upgrading security fencing, cameras, fire alarm systems, and exterior

  lighting

 

The facility improvements needed in our Union Hill School are far beyond the scope of the
district’s current maintenance budget. District leadership is currently evaluating options for
funding these improvements, including utilizing capital reserves and accessing available State
funds. Additionally, another option utilized by many California school districts is to ask local
voters to approve a school improvement bond measure to provide dedicated local funding for
repairs and upgrades. A bond measure would require a detailed project list showing how funds
are expected to be used, and an independent citizens’ oversight committee and annual audits
to ensure funds are used as promised.

 

As UHSD considers options for preparing our schools for the future, we welcome your input. To
share your opinions and priorities, or to ask questions, please contact Superintendent Scott
Mikal-Heine at [email protected].