We are pleased to announce the debut of the state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center at Sage Creek High School on June 4. Talented young musicians, singers, actors, and dancers will be taking to the new stage for the first time, and will be practicing their crafts in this center for many years to come.
The opening of this beautiful facility marks the completion of all major new projects funded by Carlsbad Unified’s 2007 Proposition P bond. The construction of Sage Creek High School and several large modernization projects at Carlsbad High School, Valley Middle School, and other campuses, were supported by funds from that bond.
Carlsbad Unified is a top-rated school district with outstanding instructional programs. We are committed to educating our students with the skills and knowledge that they need to be successful in a dynamic and challenging world. But, in fulfilling our commitment, we recognize that our school facilities have a direct impact on our academic program. And, although we receive money from the State to cover instructional and operational costs, we do not receive adequate funds for maintaining and modernizing our school facilities. Indeed, some of our schools are 50 years old and in need of repairs. And all of our school buildings will need to adapt to the changing demands of educating students for the workplaces of the future.
So, the District recently has undertaken a Long-Range Facilities Master Plan process to take a comprehensive look at all of our school buildings and facilities and to anticipate their needs over the next 15 to 20 years. The Master Plan study evaluates each campus in each of these guiding categories:
- Needed repairs and upgrades for roofs, HVAC, and plumbing and electrical systems;
- Facilities for education on in-demand careers, including Career Technical Education in healthcare, biomedical science, robotics, and computer science;
- Labs and Makerspaces for Science, Math, and the Arts (STEAM) at each school;
- Modern classrooms similar to modern work environments, with flexible furniture and learning spaces, natural light, and innovative libraries;
- Energy efficiency and sustainability, including solar energy, that saves money by generating energy and reducing our consumption of it;
- Technology infrastructure that supports high achievement, and
- Safety and security.
In order to sustain the high-quality education that our community expects from our schools—and that our students deserve—the CUSD Board of Trustees is considering placing a bond measure on an upcoming ballot to generate up to $328 million for facility repairs and updates in the areas identified in the Master Plan. As was the case with our Prop P construction projects, a Citizens' Oversight Committee would provide an independent system of accountability and auditing to monitor all decisions and expenses and to ensure that all funds are spent appropriately.
We are very interested in your feedback on our Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, which can be found at www.carlsbadusd.net/fmp.x
