Title
Approve the Definition of Four Seismic Modernization Projects and Amend the Facilities Services Division Strategic Execution Plan to Incorporate Therein
Facilities Services Division
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Brief Description:
description
(Approve the Definition of Four Seismic Modernization Projects and Amend the Facilities Services Division Strategic Execution Plan to Incorporate Therein) Recommends definition and approval of four seismic modernization projects as detailed in Exhibit A; amendment of the Facilities Services Division (Facilities) Strategic Execution Plan (SEP) to incorporate therein; and authorization for the Chief Procurement Officer, Chief Facilities Executive, and/or designee(s) to take all legally permissible actions to implement the projects including executing instruments, budget modifications, and procurement of equipment and materials.
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Recommendation
Action Proposed:
1. Define and approve four seismic modernization projects at Menlo Elementary School, 93rd Street Elementary School, 96th Street Elementary School, and 122nd Street Elementary School as described in Exhibit A with a total combined budget of $322,647,063, and amend the Facilities SEP to incorporate therein.
2. Authorize the Chief Procurement Officer, Chief Facilities Executive and/or their designee(s) to execute all reasonable instruments, as legally permissible, to implement the proposed projects including budget modifications and the purchase of equipment and materials.
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Body
Background:
On August 7, 2024, the Board of Education (Board) adopted a resolution ordering an election on November 5, 2024, to authorize the issuance of school bonds (Measure US). The same action approved the Proposed 2024 Bond Priorities, Funding Targets and Implementation Strategies for Measure US, which help guide the identification of sites and development of project proposals. The School Upgrade Program (SUP), representing the current phase of the bond program, was updated to incorporate these priorities, funding targets, and implementation strategies after the approval of Measure US by voters. These included continuing major modernizations, upgrades and reconfigurations to school campuses with priorities such as the replacement and/or modernization of school buildings with seismic vulnerabilities to meet today’s building, safety, and learning standards as well as the development of green schoolyards to upgrade and restore outdoor areas and play space.
As part of this effort, the Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles Unified) engaged an independent structural engineering firm, John A. Martin & Associates (JAMA), in 2024-2025 to generate a prioritized ranking of District-owned buildings for seismic and structural evaluation. JAMA considered a number of factors including guidance that was issued by the Division of the State Architect (DSA) in 2022 for evaluating buildings which used the lift slab method for construction (Lift Slab) and Seismic Performance Prediction Platform software based on the Federal Emergency Management Agency P-154 methodology. Lift Slab buildings were identified as the highest priority for evaluation. Additionally, school sites with the highest reliance on square footage in Lift Slab buildings and/or sites where classroom utilization allows for constructing outdoor learning and open space in place of Lift Slab buildings were prioritized.
The four seismic modernization projects in Exhibit A will provide the necessary capacity for new classrooms and support spaces in permanent and relocatable buildings to support student learning environments. The proposed projects also include improvements to areas of each campus impacted by the project including improved outdoor spaces, exterior painting of remaining buildings and structures to create a cohesive aesthetic across each campus, accessibility improvements, and other code-required upgrades.
In addition, the project at 96th Street Elementary School includes scope for a green schoolyard upgrade which was identified using the Green Schoolyards Index. Sites were identified using the Green Schoolyards Index which ranks sites based on the percentage of existing green schoolyard space, CalEnviroScreen 4.0 score, and Cal-Adapt extreme heat data. Category 1 (Green Schoolyard Priority List) identifies District elementary schools with a schoolyard that has 10 percent or less green/natural space. Sites identified for Green Schoolyard Upgrades projects are Category 1 schools with enrollment greater than 275, and without another project underway or being planned for the site that includes schoolyard greening. Projects are distributed across all seven board districts, when physical conditions are essentially comparable. The proposed project includes greening and landscaping improvements throughout the campus in alignment with the District’s Green Schoolyards for All Plan (November 2025 Addendum), as described in Exhibit A.
The development of each proposed project considered site accessibility, safety, supervision, optimal site configuration and utilization, play space, enrollment projections, educational programs, and operational impacts during construction. The school sites for the four seismic modernization projects are located in Board Districts 1 (Sherlett Hendy Newbill) and 7 (Tanya Ortiz Franklin).
Bond Oversight Committee Recommendations:
This item was considered by the School Construction Bond Citizens’ Oversight Committee (BOC) at its meeting on September 3, 2026, as referenced in Exhibit B. The presentation that was provided is included as Exhibit C. Staff has concluded that this proposed Facilities SEP amendment is in alignment with BOC recommendations and will facilitate Los Angeles Unified School District’s ability to successfully complete the Facilities SEP.
Expected Outcomes:
Approval of the proposed actions will enable staff to proceed with the implementation of the four proposed projects.
The seismic modernization projects, once completed, will help ensure that students attending these schools are provided with a safe, healthy environment that supports educational programs and student academic achievement.
Board Options and Consequences:
Adoption of the proposed action will authorize staff to proceed with the expenditure of Bond Program funds and begin the environmental reviews and clearances, design, procurement, construction, and other activities necessary to implement the proposed projects.
If the proposal is not approved, the seismic modernization projects will not commence, and the schools will not benefit from the replacement of Lift Slab buildings and associated campus upgrades.
Policy Implications:
The proposal does not impact Los Angeles Unified policy. The proposed projects support the implementation of the update to the School Upgrade Program (SUP) to integrate Measure US funding and priorities into its operational framework. Furthermore, the proposal is consistent with the District’s long-term goal to improve seismic safety as described in Measure US. The proposed action advances Los Angeles Unified’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, Pillar 4 Operational Effectiveness, Modernizing Infrastructure by improving seismic safety at schools.
Budget Impact:
The combined budget for the four proposed seismic modernization projects is $322,647,063. The proposed projects in Exhibit A will be funded by Bond Program funds in the SUP targeted for major modernizations, upgrades, and reconfigurations to school campuses.
The proposed budgets were prepared based on the current information known, and assumptions about the proposed project scope, site conditions, and market conditions. The project budgets will be reviewed throughout the planning, design, and construction phases as new information becomes known or unforeseen conditions arise and will be adjusted accordingly to enable the successful completion of the proposed projects.
Student Impact:
The proposed seismic modernization projects, once completed, will help ensure students attending these schools are provided with safe, welcoming learning environments that support student-centered and engaged learning.
Issues and Analysis:
The proposed projects support the District’s efforts to address buildings prioritized for seismic safety improvements. Staff will implement all opportunities to minimize impacts on school operations and ongoing educational programs.
The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) will evaluate the proposed projects in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Scope, Budget, and Schedule for Four Seismic Modernization Projects
Exhibit B - BOC Resolution
Exhibit C - BOC Presentation
Submitted:
08/20/26