Measure GG Background

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    The Cardiff School rebuild is now underway!

     The construction team took control of the school campus in late June to begin their work, which started with fencing off the site to maintain security and safety throughout construction.

     Demolition of most buildings will take place from June to August 2019 while students are away for summer break, with the exception of the administration building and two connected classrooms. Grading of the site and installation of new utilities is also scheduled for this timeframe.

     School will resume on August 27 and Cardiff School will educate grades K-1 on-site with grade 2 at Ada Harris.

     Construction of the new classroom buildings is scheduled to start in November 2019 and will continue through Spring 2021 (see the timeline below for exact details).

     construction timeline

    Enlarge timeline here

     We appreciate your support and patience as we work to provide a new school for our Cardiff children. If you’d like to follow along with the construction progress, the contractor will post live photos of construction on their website.

     What to Expect During Construction

    • Construction trucks and equipment on and around the school site
    • No public access to the school site during construction for safety and security
      • Construction fencing around the entire site
      • Closure of the playfields, hardcourt and dog park during construction
      • A small portion of the campus will remain open for grades K-1 students beginning in August
    • Construction hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., per City of Encinitas municipal code.
    • Campus closure will last through the end of construction, which is currently slated for Spring 2021.

    Why It’s Important

    The Cardiff School rebuild will provide the following benefits to our students and parents:
    • Create a more safe, secure campus
    • Provide a modern learning environment
    • Improve drop-off and pick-up areas
    • Reduce traffic congestion
    • Improve playfields

    About the Project

    In 2016, approximately two-thirds of Cardiff voters approved Measure GG, a $22 million school facilities bond measure to modernize/rebuild Cardiff School and provide needed upgrades to Ada Harris School. 

    The design for the Cardiff School rebuild was developed through an extensive community outreach process that brought teachers, students, parents, and local residents together to collaborate on a design that provides a safe and secure environment for the students, enhances their learning environment, and preserves the charm of the existing seaside campus. 

    Current Litigation/Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant

    The Cardiff School rebuild has been covered by the local media, including information about a lawsuit filed by a small group of local opponents who allege that the rebuild is reducing community open space. 

    The school playfields are the open space in question. Named George Berkich Park after a former principal, the playfields are entirely owned and maintained by the school district. They are used first and foremost by the school and although they are open to the public after hours and on weekends, the space is not a City park.

    The multi-purpose room will sit on a small portion of the current school playfield; however, the playfields are being improved to increase the overall usability of the space. All of the current elements that are available for public use will be maintained in the new design. 

    Currently, the District is addressing the implications of a $160,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant agreement that was entered into in 1993 in partnership with the City of Encinitas to enhance the school playfields. The grant requires the school playfields to remain as outdoor recreation area in perpetuity. The California State Parks Office of Grants and Local Services has been guiding the District through an established process to ensure compliance with grant requirements.

    On April 18, 2019, the Encinitas Planning Commission unanimously approved the Coastal Development Permit. Project opponents filed an appeal of this decision, which the Encinitas City Council denied at their meeting on May 22, 2019. 

    Need More Information about Measure GG? 

    The District is committed to communicating with residents as this project progresses. You can learn more about the project by contacting Randy Peterson, the Measure GG Bond Program Manager at csdbpm@gmail.com or reviewing the following documents on Measure GG and the Cardiff School rebuild project: