Bassett Unified details $25M-plus in facilities work, timeline for fields, pool, playgrounds and gym HVAC

Bassett Unified School District officials gave the board an update July 22 on four major facilities projects funded with voter measures and other district resources. The presentation highlighted an aquatic center at the high school, five new elementary playgrounds, new sport fields at Edgewood and Don Julian, and a phase-two HVAC installation for the Bassett High gym.

The update matters because the projects together represent multi‑million‑dollar investments in student facilities and athletics the district says are intended to serve current students and future generations.

At the start of the presentation, Susan Ibarra, the district’s new chief business officer, told the board: "We are excited to provide you with an update on the transformational facilities projects taking place throughout the district." She said the projects align with the district’s strategic goal of safe facilities. Staff estimated the high school aquatic center at $12,000,000, funded by Measure V and Measure VB, and said the site held a community celebration in April.

District staff said five playgrounds at elementary schools were awarded in December and budgeted at $1,500,000 using Measure BB funds; installations are nearly complete and a vendor walkthrough and ribbon cutting were scheduled. Ibarra showed before‑and‑after photos and said principals, teachers and community members were consulted on designs.

On athletic facilities, staff said the Edgewood and Don Julian sport‑field project has an estimated budget of $12,100,000 for turf fields, restrooms, concession stands and related work. Division of the State Architect (DSA) approval for the Edgewood project was reported as complete; Don Julian was said to be awaiting expected approval. Staff said pre‑bid qualification was underway and anticipated a summer groundbreaking.

Staff explained Don Julian’s field will be smaller than Edgewood’s because of an existing solar panel lease on site; enlarging the field would have required removing leased solar infrastructure, which staff said would add cost and complexity. Staff estimated the size difference at about 20 yards and said athletic staff did not view the smaller field as a programmatic problem.

The board was also told that ENGIE Services was awarded the districtwide HVAC contract in June 2024 and that the gym portion for Bassett High is in phase two; crews were staging with plans to complete major outside work before school starts so students can use the gym. "They plan on getting inside the gym and out before school starts," a staff member said.

Board members thanked staff for the presentation, asked for more detail on timelines and on facilities at adult‑education and child‑development sites, and asked staff to ensure staging and banner/floor considerations for gym repainting. The presentation included a project timeline from procurement approvals through notice to proceed, construction and closeout.

Discussion — not action: the meeting record shows this was an informational update; no motions or contract awards were made on July 22. Staff said approvals from DSA and other agencies were in hand or pending and that pre‑bid steps were active for several projects.

What’s next: staff said they will return with additional updates and that ribbon cuttings and walkthroughs will occur as projects close out. Board members asked for future briefings on adult education and child development facility work.

Budget and funding: staff repeatedly attributed funding to local bond measures (Measure V, Measure VB, Measure BB) and to previously approved contract awards; specific contract numbers and prospective bid timelines were discussed but not voted on at this meeting.