Student proposes five maple trees and courtyard improvements funded by local donor

A student presenter outlined a plan to add five maple trees to the high-school courtyard and said a local landscape company, represented by the Rouse family, offered to donate installation. The student said the proposed donation value is $6,975 for the five trees and described the locations and plans for irrigation and ongoing care.

Board members and facilities staff asked procedural and fiscal questions: whether the installation would create future obligations or signage requirements, how irrigation and pruning would be handled, and whether the district would accept the donation as a gift or as a contracted project. Facilities staff told the meeting they had inspected the site and discussed irrigation needs and that donations often require a clear plan for maintenance. The board asked the student to meet with facilities director Marcus Silva and to return with detailed answers at the facilities committee meeting on April 16; the board thanked the student and the donor family for the proposal.

The presenter said the donor (Hampton Yards / the Rouse family) will handle the initial installation and that the project is envisioned in phases, with possible later fundraising for additional improvements. Board members encouraged student involvement and noted the project supports student engagement with the campus environment.