The SCUC Community Advisory Committee (CAC) held its final two meetings of the fall on December 3 and December 10 to review district facility needs and develop a bond project prioritization recommendation.
Greater access to learning opportunities, enhanced safety and security, and long-term upgrades to aging facilities were central to discussions as the SCUC Community Advisory Committee (CAC) concluded its fall work related to a possible May 2026 bond referendum.
The committee met twice in December, first on December 3 and again on December 10, marking a transition from broad deliberation to final prioritization of recommendations to be presented to the Board of Trustees.
December 3: Reviewing Needs and Gathering Feedback
The December 3 meeting, held in the boardroom of the Malish Administration Building, focused on districtwide needs and potential projects under the district’s estimated $295 million bond capacity.
CAC members reviewed every SCUC campus, all of which have varying degrees of facility needs. Six campuses were identified as having the greatest need for improvements to support student programs: Dobie Junior High School, Byron P. Steele High School, Samuel Clemens High School, Wilder Intermediate School, Jordan Intermediate School, and Schlather Intermediate School. Architectural renderings of proposed renovations for those campuses were displayed throughout the room, allowing members to review and provide feedback.
In addition to targeted campus projects, the committee discussed extensive refreshes for the district’s oldest campuses, including new flooring, paint, ceiling tiles, LED lighting, replacement of aging equipment, and site drainage improvements. Members also examined broader district priorities such as hardened security measures, new buses, modernized technology, and expanded access to Career and Technical Education and Fine Arts programs.
Balancing these needs with fiscal responsibility remained a consistent theme. “We have to make sure everyone sees themselves in the ballot,” said Sheleah Reed, Director of PreK-12 Engagement and Partnerships with PBK Architects, which is providing long-range facility planning services to the district.
The committee also reviewed early feedback from a community poll first introduced at the November 19 meeting. Results showed favorable responses to multiple options for Lehnhoff Stadium renovations or the construction of a new district stadium, with estimated costs ranging from $42 million for basic upgrades to $104 million for a new stadium near Interstate 35. Similar support was noted for proposed Multi-Purpose Activity Centers, which would provide covered practice space for athletics, marching band, physical education classes during extreme weather, and the ability to host events when outdoor fields are not usable.
“This poll doesn’t tell us what will happen,” said Assistant Superintendent Kelly Kovacs as she reviewed the results. “But, it may help with prioritizing our recommendation decisions.”
December 10: Prioritization and Consensus
The committee reconvened on December 10 for its final meeting of the fall, shifting from discussion to consensus-building. Superintendent Paige Meloni addressed CAC members at the outset, thanking them for their commitment and collaboration. “This is one of our most important partnerships,” Meloni said. “We do not take it for granted.”
CAC members worked in seven breakout groups to prioritize campus and departmental needs, making difficult decisions to align proposed projects with the $295 million bonding capacity. Universal agreement was reached on investments related to school safety and security, new playgrounds at elementary campuses, and facility upgrades supporting CTE and Fine Arts programs.
Not all proposals could be accommodated. Items such as campus exterior signage and outdoor pavilion enclosures were tabled for further discussion due to cost constraints.
“We will share this information with the Board,” Reed said, noting that trustees will determine how to proceed with the committee’s recommendations.
Superintendent Meloni acknowledged the broader economic and political challenges surrounding any potential bond election and expressed appreciation for the committee’s willingness to engage in complex and sometimes difficult conversations. “These are challenging times right now,” she said. “Thank you for locking arms with us.”
Next Steps
The CAC will present its recommendations to the Board of Trustees at the regular board meeting on December 18. Trustees are scheduled to participate in a workshop in early January to further review the proposed priorities. A community open house and facility tour is tentatively planned for Saturday, January 24, 2026. The Board is expected to decide at its February 12 meeting whether to call a bond election, which would be held on May 2, 2026.