Gary Moskowitz
A combined renovation project between Toll Middle and Keppel
Elementary schools will cost almost $12 million more than the school
district estimated eight years ago.
The project will continue, with a big helping hand from
voter-passed Proposition 47. The measure will drop more than $75
million in school renovation and modernization money in Glendale
Unified's lap for current and future projects.
The daunting $12-million figure did not faze the five members of
the school board at Tuesday's board meeting.
"This was not a surprise," board President Chuck Sambar said. "It
did not come as a shock to us. We have been watching this for six
years, and every time we open a new contract, the costs go up."
Sambar added, "These are very old, decrepit schools, in dire need
of repairs, that are not earthquake-safe. We want them to be around
another 100 years."
A report to the board by District Administrator of Planning,
Development and Facilities Richard White and Chief Business and
Financial Officer Steve Hodgson attributed about $5.5 million of the
increases to seismic work at Toll and Keppel. The seismic upgrades
are required by the state.
The other $6 million in added costs to the Toll/Keppel project
comes from a long list of expenses district officials and oversight
committee members say they have been aware of all along. The list
includes the removal of asbestos from both schools, rising labor
costs, interim housing and a temporary faculty parking lot.
Nearly $1 million more is necessary just for electric and water
capability.
"If there is a rainbow out there, it is Prop. 47," Hodgson said.
"It is now a funding vehicle we can use to assist us with this
situation. There has never been a bond issue ever that rivaled what
was passed last night [Tuesday]."
The Toll/Keppel project now will run up a tab of about $20
million. The district hopes to begin work in December, Hodgson said.
Renovations at both schools will include new ceilings, wiring,
lighting, data network systems, an elevator and ramp for handicapped
students and renovated office buildings, Hodgson said.
Toll was built in 1926, and Keppel in 1930. Neither school has had
significant upgrades since the 1950s.
The improvements will be significant to faculty, students and
staff at both schools, Keppel Parent Teacher Assn. President Debbie
Weiss said.
"We still have the original soap dispensers, as we did when I went
to school there," Weiss said. "We need this. Our teachers have
limited space, and it is very disruptive for them to move every time
a track of students move."
