- Facility Master Plan

FACILITY MASTER PLAN

The District’s Facility Master Plan (FMP) is a long-term roadmap guiding improvements to school facilities over the next 10–15 years. It identifies priorities to ensure safe, modern, and future-ready learning environments for all students.

The plan was approved by the Board of Trustees in September 2023 and helps guide how projects are prioritized and funded, including through Measure H and other funding sources.

AT A GLANCE

• Approved: September 2023
• Timeframe: 10–15 year plan
• Purpose: Guide facility improvements and investment decisions
• Funding: Supports projects funded through Measure H and other sources
• Updated regularly to reflect district needs

FACILITY MASTER PLAN PRIORITIES

Phase 1: Climate Ready Projects
Improve indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and overall building performance to support healthy learning environments.

Phase 2: Transitional Kindergarten and Building Systems
Reconfigure or expand classroom spaces as needed to support the implementation of Universal Transitional Kindergarten (TK), and address essential building systems and infrastructure needs across school sites.

Phase 3: Dynamic Learning Environments
Enhance learning environments through improvements to early learning spaces, outdoor areas, and flexible instructional spaces that support modern teaching and learning.

Phase 4: Future Ready Projects
Includes long-term building lifecycle replacements specific to each school site, supporting future-ready facilities and District priorities.

PLANNING PROCESS & DOCUMENTS

The Facility Master Plan was developed through a multi-step planning process that included community input, site assessments, and Board review.

View planning materials and presentations:

RELATED INFORMATION

FMP Board Meeting Update - June 15, 2023

On April 6, 2023, Trustees Layton and Kornell updated the Board on the Facility Master Planning process including the facilities condition report for all schools, the high-level outcomes of stakeholder engagement, and next steps toward developing the SCSD plan for the next 10-15 years. On June 15, Kristen Rose from PBK shared proposed scopes of work and the next steps in developing the plan - view the June 15 Presentation here.

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FMP Board Meeting Update - April 6, 2023

The Facility Master Planning (FMP) process started in the fall of 2022 with an assessment of SCSD District Facilities both the building systems and infrastructure and visual assessments of the existing conditions. Meetings with the FMP Steering Committee, focus groups, and stakeholders followed to build an understanding of the values of the San Carlos School District educational program and priorities for the learners. The FMP team met with the Strategic Planning Team to ensure alignment before a Visioning Series launched. A Visioning Team of 50+ members (teachers, community members, school leaders, city leaders, partners, etc.) met to develop a vision for the future of SCSD schools and facilities. Members of the Steering Committee updated the Board on the process, outcomes, and next steps during our April 6 meeting. View the April 6 Presentation here.

Facility Master Plan Update Process - January 2023

Our current Facility Master Plan (FMP), dated 2013, detailed the modernization in our upper elementary and middle schools using Measure H Bond Funds. Our elementary schools now need attention and all of our schools will need upgrades to be climate-ready and resilient. For that reason, the Board of Trustees approved PBK, a full-service architecture firm, to assess all of our facilities. They will also help us complete an inclusive and transparent process to develop a 10-15 year plan to create schools and schoolyards to meet the needs of our children, staff and community. This will involve both on-site structural reviews and engagement with principals, staff, students and the community.

Our process has begun with the development of an FMP Visioning committee, composed of community and staff, who have met twice to discuss our current facilities and envision collaborative and climate-ready school spaces. See the slide deck from our Visioning Session held in January.

Stakeholder meetings were conducted between February - May where input was collected providing invaluable to co-create a resulting roadmap to inform the next steps for our facilities. We want to hear from you, so here are opportunities to share your feedback. Read more about our Facility Master Visioning Session and Strategic Plan refresh process. If you have any questions about these meetings, please email [email protected] or call (650) 580-7333.

Facility Master Plan 2013-2022

On March 14, 2013, the San Carlos School Board passed the District’s Facility Master Plan (FMP). The FMP was developed to address enrollment growth and provide a roadmap for building new schools, renovation of existing facilities, creating outdoor environments and introducing new technologies, all in the context of resource sustainability.

New learning environments will focus on creating flexible spaces that can scale to accommodate many sizes, from large groups to small teams to individual projects. Other elements of 21st Century Learning environments include fewer walls, embracing the outdoors and bringing the outside classroom inside, flexible furniture and space, spaces for hands-on learning and project-based learning, and more.

Specifically, the FMP includes the following:

Building two new upper elementary schools, one on each of the existing middle school campuses, for 4th-5th grade
Removing 5th grade from Central and Tierra Linda and renovating both middle schools as per the design elements above
Removing 4th grade from each of the existing four elementary schools (Arundel, Brittan Acres, Heather, and White Oaks)
Re-locating Charter Learning Center
Doing other renovations, including safety and technology upgrades, at all sites
Investing in sustainable energy sources, materials, and programs throughout the district

The passage of Measure H in 2012 provided funds to accomplish a substantial amount of work outlined in the plan and a Citizens Bond Oversight Committee has been appointed to ensure the proper expenditure of bond funds. However, the Facility Master Plan is intended to be a roadmap that encompasses plans beyond what Measure H can fund.

The District has designated a design team of administrators and teachers who are working to build the curriculum, structure, and personnel model of the new bridge schools with the goal to ensure that the physical design of the schools aligns with the curricular design.

To view the complete 2013 FMP, click here. For a background narrative and timeline of the Facility Master Plan (FMP) as of April 2017, click here.