Detailed Summary of SDUHSD Special Board Meeting (September 25, 2025)
1. Meeting Opening
The meeting was called to order at the district office in Encinitas with one trustee (Jane Lea Smith) participating via teleconference from Japan.
Trustees present: Rimga Viskanta, Phan Anderson, Michael Allman, Jane Lea Smith (remote), and Board President Jodie Williams.
2. Public Comments (Before Closed Session)
No comments on the agenda approval.
Closed Session Comments (2 speakers):
Natalie R: Urged investigation into Assistant Principal Rebecca Gallow at Torrey Pines HS for alleged FERPA/Section 504 violations and retaliation.
Janice Holowka: Called for dismissal of Principal Rob Coppo and AP Rebecca Gallow, citing misconduct, failure to protect students, and community distrust. Also raised transparency concerns about a separate San Dieguito Academy (SDA) hate symbol incident.
3. Closed Session Outcomes
Item 2A: Board unanimously ratified a separation agreement with a high school principal (not named publicly).
Item 2B: Board unanimously appointed Mark Adado as Assistant Principal at Oak Crest Middle School, effective Sept. 26, 2025
4. Facilities Workshop – Public Comments (4 speakers)
Suzanne Von Thaden (Parent Pool Committee) – Thanked district for considering a new pool in project list, stressed community input on aquatic facilities.
Sarika Sati (Student, CCA, age 14) – Urged energy audit and electrification for schools; cited climate change, equity, and health impacts.
Miles Wakeham (Student, CCA, age 14) – Supported energy audit, highlighted health impacts of pollution, asthma, and missed school days.
Melissa Fischel (Parent/Community) – Requested transparency on state matching funds eligibility, deferred maintenance details, and pool funding strategies. Encouraged stronger energy efficiency planning and better use of Board Policy 7210 provisions.
5. Facilities Presentation (Staff & Consultants)
Prop AA Bond Program Highlights (2012–2025)
Major projects completed:
New schools: Pacific Trails MS, rebuilt Earl Warren MS, Sunset HS, Coast Academy.
SDA: New Math/Science & Arts/Humanities buildings, Mosaic Café.
Torrey Pines HS: Performing Arts Center, art building, athletic field upgrades, locker rooms, Falcon Quad.
CCA: Athletic fields, stadium, new classroom building.
Diegueno MS: Modernizations, Cougar Hall, media center, music improvements.
Ongoing/Upcoming: SDA building modernization, TP Aquatic Center, SDA solar project, locker room upgrades.
Need for a New Facilities Master Plan
Current plan dates from 2011.
Updating required to access state matching funds under Ed Code §17070.54.
District recently became eligible for $35M in state funds (up from $22M) due to aging facilities.
Master plan update estimated cost: $350K–$450K.
6. Board Discussion – Key Issues
Policies & Oversight
Trustees discussed adopting CSBA model policy BP 7110 for clearer master plan requirements, transparency, and equity criteria.
Need for consistent preventive maintenance systems and resource management plan (not currently in place).
Facilities Condition & Needs
2020 Kitchell Facilities Condition Assessment estimated ~$60M in needs; only ~25% have been addressed.
Staff acknowledged limited maintenance workforce despite 50% growth in district square footage over 20 years.
Facilitron system exists but preventive maintenance features are underutilized.
Funding
Remaining Prop AA/unallocated funds: $8.7M (seed money for bridge projects if future bond pursued).
State matching funds: reimbursement basis, typically 1–3 years post-project.
Deferred maintenance budget of $1M/year seen as inadequate compared to scale of needs.
Future Bond Consideration
Earliest realistic timeline for new general obligation bond: November 2028.
Partial draft project list included:
New science building at LCC.
Modernization of SDA classrooms.
Aquatic Center in Northern Part of the District
Career Technical Education (robotics, engineering, programming).
Safety/security upgrades, infrastructure, compliance projects.
Equity and prioritization discussed – some trustees stressed avoiding “popularity contest” and instead using weighted criteria (safety, equity, funding availability).
7. Emerging Themes & Concerns
Student voices strongly emphasized sustainability and clean energy.
Equity concerns: need for fair distribution of capital spending across campuses.
Transparency: calls for clear criteria on project prioritization and better public communication.
Maintenance gap: growing facility square footage not matched by staff/resources.
Timeline reality: No major new projects from a bond before 2032.
8. Closing
Workshop adjourned after extensive discussion.
Trustees approved distributing a request for proposal to consultants.
Trustees expressed appreciation for staff preparation, community/student participation, and reinforced need for long-term vision and equity in facilities planning.
✅ Key Takeaways:
District moving toward a new Facilities Master Plan (first since 2011).
Bond funds nearly exhausted; $35M in state funds potentially available.
Earliest new bond: 2028 → projects completed ~2032.
Strong focus on sustainability, equity, and preventive maintenance.
Community trust issues (e.g., closed session personnel concerns) remain highly visible.