www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 Salinas Union High School District is working on updating its facilities master plan across its 13 schools. Officials so far have hosted several town hall meetings, tours and study sessions, identifying numerous projects including new classrooms, air conditioning, ADA accessibility improvements and more. There is $130 million available, just a fraction of the $546.3 million needed for SUHSD’s project priority list. That means it will have to pick and choose which projects move forward. The proposed plan has raised concern from teachers and parents at El Sausal Middle School, the second-oldest school in the district. El Sausal lacks accessibility—people with mobility issues can access the school from a side entrance, but not the front door—and there are leaky roofs, lack of air conditioning in some buildings, substandard bathrooms with rusted soap dispensers and hand dryers, among other issues. El Sausal staff members provided a detailed document with feedback on the proposed master plan. Safety is another concern. “Ceiling tiles are falling literally inches from students and staff,” it reads. The document also reads: “Without a ramp in the front, the district is continuing the segregation of students with mobility disabilities from the rest of the student body,” it reads states. Older buildings that were built up to code during construction are required to fulfill current ADA compliance when they undergo renovations, meaning the 1949 building would require extensive attention if other projects are approved. SUHSD boardmember Nathalia Carrillo’s daughter attends El Sausal. During a March 18 study session, Carrillo said, “I see the neglect that is happening in that site.” Voters in Salinas have generally been supportive of school bonds in the past two decades. Since 2002, voters have passed five bond measures totaling $472 million. With these monies the district has modernized classrooms, upgraded sports facilities, built a new high school (Rancho San Juan) in North Salinas, and opened workforce housing on Abbot Street, among other projects. Each school has received a piece of the pie, but some received more than others. From 2002 to March 18, 2025, SUHSD has invested $421 million across its facilities, including funding from the state and other sources. Of those expenditures, El Sausal— which has a student population of 1,051—received less than $7 million and Mount Toro High School—an alternative school with 204 students— received $2.8 million. High schools received the most. Rancho San Juan was primarily funded with Measure B, receiving $129.8 million for land acquisition, design and construction. Alisal High received $55 million over the 23-year period. According to SUHSD boardmember Mitch Huerta, the master plan is still in its early stages. The next study session is in May. Administrators hope the board approves a short-term plan before summer. School Economics Salinas Union is working on how to spend $130 million on facility upgrades across its schools. By Celia Jiménez Ana Aguillon, manager of business services at SUHSD, presents an update on the facilities master plan on March 18 during a study session, suggesting a $100 million cap to leave $30 million for contingencies. NEWS “Ceiling tiles are falling literally inches from students.” CELIA JIMÉNEZ
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