Rising construction costs impact district projects

It is crucial to keep an eye on the rising construction costs that are affecting our district's projects. As you may know, building materials and labor costs have steadily increased over the past few years. We are seeing some relief in the rate of cost escalations, but we continue to budget for an estimated 7% cost rise over the next four years. Supply availability has improved since the end of the COVID pandemic, but long lead times continue to strain our educational infrastructure. From repairing aging portables, maintaining heating and cooling systems, and maintaining shared spaces, our schools require adequate funding to offer the best learning environments for our children. However, the escalating costs pose challenges in completing these essential projects on time and within budget.

Maintaining our buildings and equipment is a large part of our capital budget. Our buildings are aging, and as we experience more wear and tear due to growing enrollment, it becomes even more vital to care for our district assets. As responsible stewards of taxpayer funds, there is a delicate balance between ensuring quality education for our students and managing our resources prudently. We take this responsibility seriously and will continue prioritizing these values in our decision-making process.

Learn more in the Daily Journal of Commerce.

#FoundationsForOurFuture