Note this report was completed in Late October 1995 and was never allowed to be presented to the board after the "victory" of the Sun Party Board in the November 1995 elections


Summary of High School Site Committee Findings

Survey of Community of input concerning proposed High School sites

The following basic assumptions have been made
Operate at existing High Desert location
Expand existing location
Temporary location on Meadowlark site
Temporary location on the Wallace Canyon site
Temporary location on a new site
Additional Site Locations
Potential properties
Request for community input.


The following basic assumptions have been made:

All potential sites appear to meet State criteria.
The District owned sites at Meadowlark and Wallace Canyon have met State approval.
No state funding is currently available. If state funding is available, local funding would be reduced or eliminated.
All improvements and land value would qualify as matching dollars for state funding when state funding is available.
The majority of the community lives close to Sierra Highway and most buses will travel on Sierra Highway before turning into a campus on most sites
The High School would be built in increments as funding and need occurs.
Growth will continue at current rates (94-95) allowing a 750 pupil High School to cover our needs for the next 10 years.
Permanent High School construction cost is a State wide average without a large gym, library and using a mix of portable and permanent buildings for 750 students.
According to the district's architect, Flewelling and Moody, a High School on any of the proposed sites would be similar. The primary variances are off-site improvements which include access roads and water lines.
Standard cost for a temporary school are based on Grading/recompacting at $50,000 acre, roads at $80 a foot, 12" water line at $50 foot, septic system $100,000, main utility connection $200,000, a 4" water meter connect fee $240,000, multipurpose room/administration buildings $350,000 and moving and reinstallation of portables at $20,000 each.
The portable classrooms are provided by the state without cost. Land cost is estimated on 5 acre unimproved sites that are selling between $25,000 and $35,000 per parcel and are free of any special tax assessments.

Vasquez High School is now operating on a shared site with High Desert School. The High School classrooms are located on the East side of the site with facilities such as the library, multipurpose room and playing fields shared with High Desert School. The site, without crowding, does not have space for the 12th grade in September, 1996. To Index

Operate at existing High Desert location

This Proposal would crowd more temporary classrooms on the existing campus. This would allow space for the 12th grade classes. The cost would be minimal consisting of 1 acre grading ($50,000) and supplemental utility connections ($50,000) for a total cost of $100,000.

Advantages

Minimum capital improvements required. Shares existing facilities with High Desert School.

Unknowns

7th to 12th grade students would be on the same campus.

Disadvantages

Could overload the existing Library, Gym, Rest Room facilities, Athletic fields, Showers and Locker rooms. Site overcrowded. Not a separate High School. No on site parking for students who drive to school. Increased traffic congestion on Crown Valley Road. Temporary buildings have a high maintenance cost and a short (10 year) life span. Inadequate facilities to host High School inter school (CIF) athletic events. To Index

Expand existing location

This proposal is to obtain 2 to 3 acres directly to the East of the School to locate temporary classrooms. This would allow needed space for the 12th grade classes. The cost would consist of 3 acres grading ($150,000) and supplemental utility connections ($50,000) for a total cost of $200,000. Land would be rented at a small cost.

Advantages

Low cost using limited local funding. Shares existing facilities with High Desert School.

Unknowns

7th to 12th grade students would be on the same campus. Located on the edge of the main Crown Valley floodway.

Disadvantages

Could overload the existing Library, Gym, Rest Room facilities, Athletic fields, Showers and Locker rooms. Not a separate High School. No on site parking for students who drive to school. Increased traffic congestion on Crown Valley Road. Temporary buildings have a high maintenance cost and a short (10 year) life span. No facilities to host High School athletic events. Site rented, all improvements lost at end of lease. To Index

Temporary location on Meadowlark site

The Meadowlark site is owned by the District. It is located about 1000 feet north of Soledad Canyon Road on Michigan. It is intended for an additional Elementary School. This proposal would be to relocate temporary buildings from the High Desert site along with additional temporary units to this site, making it a separate four year High School. It is too small for a permanent High School.

The cost would consist of 8 acres grading $400,000, septic system $200,000, access roads $80,000, water connect fee $240,000, multipurpose room/administration buildings $350,000, moving 10 classrooms $200,000 and utility connections $200,000 for a total cost of $1,670,000.

Advantages

A separate 4 year High School. Necessary site improvements (Paved roads, septic system, grading and on site utilities) could be reused for the Elementary School whenever the High School moved to its permanent location. All utilities are available to the site. Sufficient water for a temporary school is on the edge of the site. Room for student parking.

Disadvantages

The cost of the improvements (Paved roads, septic system, grading) would have to be raised locally. Increased busing costs and limited cafeteria services. Temporary buildings have a high maintenance cost and a short (10 year) life span. No facilities to host High School athletic events. No Library, Auditorium, Gym or playing fields unless local funds are approved or construction by volunteers. Would need to construct about 1000' of roads. To Index

Temporary location on the Wallace Canyon site

The Wallace Canyon site is owned by the District. It is located about 2000 feet north west of Sierra Highway at Wallace Canyon Road. It was provided to the District as a High School Site. This proposal is to relocate temporary buildings from the High Desert site along with additional temporary units to this site, making it a separate four year High School.

The cost would consist of 8 acres grading $400,000, septic system $200,000, access roads $160,000, water connect fee $240,000, multipurpose room/administration buildings $350,000, moving 10 classrooms $200,000 and utility connections $200,000 for a total cost of $1,750,000.

Advantages

A separate 4 year High School. Not near freeway. Necessary on site improvements (Paved roads, septic system, grading) could be reused for the permanent High School whenever funding to build the High School is obtained. Would help facilitate the installation of a 4-way stop sign at Wallace Canyon and Sierra Highway. All utilities except water are available to the site.

Unknowns

Availability of the additional $960,000 for improvements from CFD-6. L A County Department of Public Works approval of a 16,000 foot "single purpose" water line.

Note: The District has begun to take steps to determine the likelihood that CFD-6's commitments will be fulfilled.

Disadvantages

The cost of on site improvements (Paved roads, septic system, grading) would have to be raised locally. Increased busing costs and limited cafeteria services. Temporary buildings have a high maintenance cost and a short (10 year) life span. No facilities to host High School athletic events. No Library, Auditorium, Gym or Playing fields unless constructed by volunteers. Would need to construct about 2000' of roads. To Index

Temporary location on a new site

Several proposed sites exist in the community but are NOT owned by the District. These sites contain common issues. This proposal is to relocate temporary buildings from the High Desert site along with additional temporary units to the site, making it a separate four year High School.

The cost would consist of 8 acres grading $400,000, septic system $200,000, water connect fee $240,000, multipurpose room/administration buildings $350,000, moving 10 classrooms $200,000 and utility connections $200,000 for a partial cost of $1,590,000. The purchase price land and off site improvements are not included.

Advantages

Separate 4 year High School. Necessary site improvements (Paved roads, septic system, grading) could be reused for the permanent High School whenever funding to build the High School is obtained. All utilities are available. The water issue varies at each site.

Disadvantages

Property would have to be purchased by the district using local funds. The cost of all improvements (Paved roads, septic system, grading) would have to be raised locally. Increased busing costs and limited cafeteria services. Temporary buildings have a high maintenance cost and a short (10 year) life span. No facilities to host High School athletic events. No Library, Auditorium, Gym or Playing fields unless constructed by volunteers. To Index

Additional Site Locations

All sites could be utilized with unlimited funds. Various sites were rejected for the following reasons:

Any site under 40 acres not owned by the same entity. Two potential sites, Creekside and Hays-Rodriguez, are within AVEK 90-1 assessment district. They were rejected because of the average 3 to 5 million dollar debt on these properties. The Space Ordinance Systems (SOS) site was rejected for indeterminate (unknown) toxic waste pollution problems. The Father Garret Ranch site was rejected as access needs a 1 to 2 million dollar bridge across the Santa Clara River.

Common water issues for the permanent High School.

Water is needed for three uses:

Drinking (Potable). Sufficient flow and reserves for drinking, kitchen, and sanitary uses. Irrigation. Sufficient flow to operate the sprinkler systems for the fields. Fire suppression. Sufficient flow for a specific time determined by the largest building on the site. For a 2000 seat gymnasium, a flow of 3000 gallons per minute for 3 hours is required.

The public water system in Acton cannot meet this requirement, as well pumping capacity is less than 3000 gallons per minute and there is no dedicated fire storage in the system. This requires either on or off site storage at a sufficient elevation above the school buildings for fire flow. If the public water system had capacity or if the Fire Department does not consider the lack of system capacity, the large fire flow requirement would mandate that the water meter be changed to a 24 inch size at an increased cost of $2,160,000 and all water lines changed to 24" size. All sites except the Airport, use the estimated connect costs of $240,000 for a 4'' water meter.

On site is less costly, about $200,000) as this could be open storage, a decorative pond (wetland), swimming pool, boating facility or a combination of storage systems. The irrigation water could be stored in the same facility if it was configured to stop irrigating when the fire storage limit was reached. All sites have space for on-site storage unless noted.

Off site storage requires an additional site, closed tank and pipes directly to the school from the storage location. Tank $750,000, lot $30,000 and a 24" pipe at $150 per foot. Between tank site and the school.

A Temporary School has no large buildings such as a Library, Auditorium, or Gym and needs much less fire suppression flow. To Index

Potential properties

Unique advantages and disadvantages listed below for each property.

1. Santiago. North side of Sierra Highway between Santiago and Acton Canyon. Access from Sierra Highway. 46 Acres, has development approval for 46 homes and 46 water units in the Acton I project. Estimated cost of land $270,000. This property is currently listed at $250,000.

Advantages

Has public water and existing water rights, could lower connect cost.

Disadvantages

On-site fire suppression water storage is not possible.

Close to Freeway with added noise and lessened student safety.

Not central to the majority of the district's population, increasing busing cost.

2. Crown Valley. East of Crown Valley, North of Bandell. Access from Crown Valley Road. 80 Acre site. Approved as a 46 home development and 46 water units in the Acton I project. Estimated cost of land $480,000. This property is not listed

Advantages

Has public water and existing water rights, could lower connect cost.

Not near freeway.

Disadvantages

Some of property in located in the Crown Valley flood way.

3. East Antelope Woods. On Antelope Woods East of High Desert School. Access from Antelope Woods Road. 80 acres raw land, no development approvals. Estimated cost of land $480,000 - Water line $40,000. This property is not listed

Advantages

Close location to High Dessert School simplifies busing.

Disadvantages

Close to Freeway with added noise and lessened student safety.

Would need about 800' of water line from High Desert School.

Much of property in located in the Crown Valley flood way.

Increased traffic congestion on Crown Valley Road.

4. West Antelope Woods. At the west end, on Antelope Woods Road, South of Highway 14 and north of Cederal. Access from Antelope Woods Road. 70 acres raw land, no development approvals. Estimated cost of land $420,000 - Water line $50,000. This property is not listed

Advantages

Close location to High Dessert School simplifies busing.

Disadvantages

On-site fire suppression water storage is not possible.

Close to Freeway with added noise and lessened student safety.

Would need about 1000' of water line from Crown Valley.

Increased traffic congestion on Crown Valley Road.

5. Red Rover. East of Red Rover, South of Highway 14 and North of Escondido. Access from Red Rover Canyon Road. 145 Acres site has development approval for 70 homes and 70 water units in the Acton I project. Estimated cost of land $870,000. This property is currently listed at $950,000.

Advantages

The extra area would give room for future expansion for added schools and facilities.

Has public water and existing water rights, could lower connect cost.

Would help facilitate the installation of a 4-way stop sign at Red Rover Canyon and Sierra Highway.

Buses could use Escondido, lessening exposure to Sierra Highway.

Disadvantages

Added cost of additional acreage.

The on-site Fire suppression storage possible, but on the portion south of Escondido.

Close to Freeway with added noise and lessened student safety.

6. Agua Dulce Airport. East of Agua Dulce Canyon at Darling Road. Access from Agua Dulce Canyon Road. 170 acre site containing private airport and approved as 17 home subdivision (subject to airport closure). Estimated cost of land $1,020,000 - Private water system $250,000 - 4000 feet of roads $320,000. For a total of $1,590,000. This property is not listed.

Advantages

The extra area would give room for future expansion for added schools and facilities.

Not near freeway.

Buses could use Escondido, lessening exposure to Sierra Highway.

Disadvantages

Added cost of additional acreage.

Not on public water system. Would need to build private water system (wells) which could impact local water supplies for Agua Dulce.

Not central to the majority of the district's population, increasing busing cost.

Would need to construct about 4000' of roads. To Index

Request for community input.

1. Preferences - Please rank the following options from 1 (best) to 8 (worst).

Preference A to E is for a long term temporary High School Cost to community

Keep Temporary High School on existing High Desert site. $100,000 Temporary High School on the existing site with added space. $200,000 Temporary High School on the Meadowlark site. $1,670,000 Temporary High School on the Wallace Canyon site. $1,750,000 Temporary High School on a new Purchased Site. *$1,590,000

Preferences F to H are for a permanent High School

Permanent High School on a new Purchased Site plus site costs. *$15,000,000 Permanent High School on the Wallace Canyon site with "free water line". $15,360,000 Permanent High School on the Wallace Canyon site if district pays for water line. $16,300,000

*Does not include the purchase cost of the site and specific site related improvement which are listed in Question 2.

Comments ____________________________________________________________

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2 Concerning preferences E or F in question 1 which would require buying a new site. Please rank these potential sites from 1 (best) to 6 (worst). Costs are estimated based on how may 5 acre parcels (at $30,000 per parcel) which could be carved from the site and specific site related improvements. This approximates current selling prices corrected for parcels with extra development costs to go to 1 or 2 acre lots.

School temp permanent

Santiago. 46 Acres. $270,000 $1,200,000 Crown Valley. 80 acres $480,000 $680,000 East Antelope Woods. 80 acres. $520,000 $720,000 West Antelope Woods. 70 $470,000 $1,400,000 Red Rover. 145 Acres $870,000 $1,070,000 Agua Dulce Airport. 170 acres. $1,590,000 $1,790,000

Comments ____________________________________________________________

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3 If we build a permanent High School, what facilities would you like to see first, for the community and the kids. Please rank these facilities from 1 (most important) to 6 least important).

Auditorium seating 1000 for community meetings and local events. $2,200,000 A Public Library of 10,000 Square feet (open in the evenings and weekends) integrated with the School. $1,000,000 All Permanent classrooms instead of partial temporary classrooms. $550,000 Gymnasium seating up to 2000 persons for intramural games and large meetings. $2,500,000 Extra playing fields (Beyond the State requirement) for Baseball, Basketball and Soccer teams in the community. $1,000,000 Olympic size swimming pool that could also be used for fire suppression storage. $1,100,000

Comments _____________________________________________________________

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4 How would you fund the costs. Please rank the funding method from 1 (best) to 3 (worst).

Wait for State Funding with no local taxes. Parcel Tax (maximum fee set by the voters). General obligation bond (maximum total bond set by the voters). The School Board sets the tax rate to pay off the bonds.

Comments _____________________________________________________________

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5 Should the School District continue to request that CFD-6 make the $960,000 water line improvement to the Wallace Canyon site without cost to the community or the School District.

Yes No

Comments ____________________________________________________________

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