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MV Whisman board OKs huge school renovation plan

by Martin Sanchez

The Mountain View Whisman school board approved a $422 million, 10-year plan that calls for new construction, renovations and improvements at the district's elementary and middle school campuses.

The school board voted unanimously to approve the Student Facilities Improvement Plan at its May 6 meeting.

After the vote, trustees debated whether to ask voters for a school construction bond to help fund part of the facilities plan on the upcoming November ballot. The board has an Aug. 6 deadline to qualify a bond measure for that ballot.

Chief among the plan's proposed renovations is the construction of two-story buildings for classroom and library facilities at most of the district's campuses. These renovations would help prepare for a projected district-wide enrollment increase of roughly 2,000 students from 2008 to 2013, district officials said.

Another project would add single-story buildings to replace existing portable classrooms at the district's elementary schools. According to a draft of the district's improvement plan, portable classrooms are susceptible to mold, mildew and termite damage.

Further planned renovations aim to bring various district facilities up to current health and safety standards, update classrooms' technological capabilities, and improve energy efficiency.