San Diego Unified earns perfect score for transparency in bond program

San Diego Unified earned a perfect score from the San Diego Taxpayers Association for transparency in the bond program and is one of only two school districts to earn this distinction. The report was released on July 9.

According to the report:  "The San Diego Taxpayers Educational Foundation conducts research on issues relevant to taxpayers including transparency. Taxpayers should be able to quickly determine if new libraries, new pools and new classrooms, for example, that school district officials promised to voters while pitching the bond have been built. In many districts, this information is easier to find today than it has been in the past. This report is intended to provide tools for San Diego County school districts to use in the ongoing process of improving transparency with respect to school facilities bond programs.

Only San Diego Unified School District and Sweetwater Union High School District earned perfect marks on the Transparency Scorecard, with all other districts having at least one missing section."

Read the full report.

Read the report summary.

Media coverage:

School bond programs are more transparent, study shows, UT San Diego, 7/14/2014

Report: San Diego school district construction bond programs becoming more transparent , San Diego 6, 7/14/2014

Follow Prop. S on Facebook and Twitter

Learn more about Proposition S and the projects being completed under the bond program by following us on Facebook (search: Proposition S) and Twitter (username: PropositionS). The new sites were launched today! Prop. S, the $2.1 billion bond measure passed in 2008 by San Diego voters, is providing resources to repair, renovate and revitalize our neighborhood schools. Besides the district-wide technology upgrades, new classroom buildings are complete at Pt. Loma and Hoover high schools; stadiums are being upgraded at high schools around the district; new marquees were installed at various elementary schools; and multiple College, Career and Technical Education facilities opened at San Diego High, Clairemont and Madison high schools. Find out more about these and other activities at your schools by following Prop. S. If you aren’t already following San Diego Unified on Facebook and Twitter, you can find them at: facebook.com/SanDiegoUnified and twitter.com (username: sdschools). For even more information on Prop. S, visit our web site at www.sandi.net/PropS or call 619-725-7252.

Hoover HS Breaks Ground on New Football Field, Track

Demolition of the old football field and running track are complete as contractors prepare to install the new synthetic turf field and all-weather track at Hoover High School. The $1.8 million project is funded by Proposition S. Hoover is one of several district high schools getting new synthetic turf football fields and running tracks, which are more cost-effective to maintain.

Completion is anticipated for this summer. Byrom-Davey, Inc is the contractor on the project. For more project information, visit our school facilities projects page at http://fpcprojects.sandi.net. For media inquiries, contact Cynthia Reed-Porter at creed-porter@sandi.net or call (619) 546-3378.

Prop S Update: San Diego High’s New Building Taking Shape

Construction is more than 50 percent complete on San Diego High’s new 16-classroom building that replaces 11 existing portable classrooms on the southeast corner of campus. Features of the new two-story, metal-frame building include student and staff restrooms, elevator and stairs and mechanical and electrical rooms. The $5.4 million Prop. S-funded project also includes 21st century technology and wireless network. Each “smart classroom” will have an interactive whiteboard, wireless voice amplification system, laptops for teachers and principals and netbooks for students. Project partners include gkkworks and Soltek Pacfic. Completion is anticipated for this summer. For more project information, visit our school facilities projects page at http://fpcprojects.sandi.net. For media inquiries, contact Cynthia Reed-Porter at creed-porter@sandi.net or call 619-546-3378.

Birney Elementary Joint-Use Field Dedicated

Ribbon cutting and enjoying the new turf at the Willie Serrano Joint Use Field.

Board of Education President Richard Barrera joined Mayor Jerry Sanders, Council Member Todd Gloria, Birney International Studies Magnet School Principal Amanda Hammond-Williams and other dignitaries in the dedication of the Willie Serrano Joint Use Field on Jan. 28.

The project now opens the park to the community, via Park Boulevard, during times when the school is not in session.
The project is a community partnership of the school district, City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department, and University Heights Recreation Council as they returned an historic recreation asset to the University Heights community and a beautiful field to the students of Birney.

 The field is named after Willie Serrano, a Birney sixth grader whose life tragically ended in 1978.

At the end of the Ribbon Cutting ceremony the Birney student body formed a “Happy Face” on the new natural turf field.

For joint use information, contact Randy White, real estate specialist, at (858) 637-3687.

• Read coverage from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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Join the Discussion on Prop. S Projects

Site Master Planning, Design Task Force Meetings Great Way to Participate in Facility Planning

As SDUSD continues revitalizing its schools under Prop. S, the opportunity is greater than ever for neighbors, parents, staff and students to provide input on upcoming projects at their schools. Site Master Plan and Design Task Force meetings provide a forum to share ideas and participate in developing long-range school site plans as well as offer direction on specific planned projects. Meetings are run by the project managers and architects directly responsible for designing and implementing these projects. Facilities improvements are important to your school’s academic success, and input from all parties is vital to the success of the planning process. View the schedule of upcoming projects at your school at www.sandi.net/PropS. To see if your school will be hosting a Site Master Plan or Design Task Force meeting soon, visit the Prop. S calendar at www.sandi.net/facilities or call 619-725-7252.