District and architects show BOHS modernization concepts; DSA says hardship funding may be available

Brea Olinda Unified School District officials and PJHM architects outlined schematic designs for Brea Olinda High School’s modernization during the Sept. 10 board meeting, describing a phased plan that prioritizes safety, accessibility and athletics. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Rick Champion introduced the team and said the schematic phase translates community priorities into a buildable plan.

Mason McCarthy of PJHM said the architects are emphasizing soil mitigation and accessible paths of travel across the campus, and that the project will be delivered in phases to balance cost and scope. “So one of the big pieces is accessibility through the whole campus,” McCarthy said, describing new ramps, resurfaced walkways and a plan for aluminum bleachers to replace cracking concrete seating.

The presentation showed a two-part scope: a perimeter phase addressing site hardscape and accessibility and a central phase focused on an aquatic center. McCarthy said the proposed pool would be a competitive 40-meter, 25-yard configuration meeting CIF requirements and would include pool support buildings, locker rooms and code-compliant pool equipment. Renderings also show a new athletic plaza and a reconfigured stadium with a new track and artificial turf.

Architects and staff discussed code-driven elements such as shade requirements under CalGreen, parking reductions to meet emergency vehicle turning radii, hillside stabilization measures and options to incorporate solar PV and solar thermal for pool heating. The consultants said tree species, spacing and a 10-year maturity projection are being used to meet shade metrics while limiting long-term root impacts.

Shar Yarnell, PJHM principal architect, said the district has had positive preliminary conversations with the Division of the State Architect and the Office of Public School Construction about a possible facility-hardship funding application. “It’s through the state school facility program, and it’s called facility hardship,” Yarnell said, adding that a hardship designation would move the district’s application toward the top of the Prop 2 reimbursement queue but that processing timelines can still span years.

District staff said the project will proceed through additional soil borings, further design refinements and cost studies. Rick Champion said the district expects to publish RFQs and prequalify contractors as the design and budget mature, and that preconstruction services will help translate the schematic into a guaranteed maximum price if the board elects to proceed.

What’s next: staff and PJHM will bring more detailed design and cost information to the board as soil-testing and preconstruction work progress, and the district will complete the paperwork required for any state hardship application before the October planning meetings.