Bond Measure U
MEASURE U UPDATES
Weekly Updates on MEASURE u, FROM SUPERINTENDENT, dR. lORI gRACEMEASURE U UPDATES![]()
Weekly Updates on MEASURE u, FROM SUPERINTENDENT, dR. lORI gRACE
MEASURE U UPDATES
April 11, 2025
Contracts are being finalized for Lease Lease Back Agreements. The project calendar is in construction. A project kickoff media/community event is in the initial planning phases. Phase 1 of the project will be completed utilizing the CUPCCAA bidding structure. California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCAA) allows projects of less than $220,000 to be contracted using a more informal bidding procedure which allows the work to be done faster, while still obtaining the best value for the District.April 4, 2025
We met with representatives from Tangram Interiors to look at our Sierra High library. Tangram is a distributor of Smith Systems furniture. Smith Systems is using our library as a pilot for future Ed Specs and was willing to donate all of the furniture for the reconfigured main library space. They enjoyed meeting our kids, staff and parents so much that they want to donate furniture for all of the rooms in the library.
We successfully closed the bond sale on April 2, 2025 and have had $15,000,000 deposited into our Building Fund.
March 28, 2025
Planned bond sales for this week had to be postponed due to unfavorable market conditions. Our advisors have informed us that the market volatility may continue depending on how the news of tariffs impacts the stock market. We will be monitoring the conditions in order to list the bonds with the most favorable conditions for the district.
March 21, 2025
Bond Sale: 3/19
The District ultimately received $16.75 million in orders for the $15 million available for sale. The orders came from 11 unique investors, including HighTower Advisors, US Trust, Alliance Global Partners, and Southwest Business Corporation Investment Company. The final cost of the bonds is $28,529,728, which is nearly $500,000 better than the $29 million cost estimate provided to the Board on January 13th. The financing is set to close on April 2, when $15 million will be deposited into your Building Fund for future use on bond projects.
The District ultimately received $16.75 million in orders for the $15 million available for sale. The orders came from 11 unique investors, including HighTower Advisors, US Trust, Alliance Global Partners, and Southwest Business Corporation Investment Company. The final cost of the bonds is $28,529,728, which is nearly $500,000 better than the $29 million cost estimate provided to the Board on January 13th. The financing is set to close on April 2, when $15 million will be deposited into your Building Fund for future use on bond projects.
March 14, 2025
Planned bond sales for this week had to be postponed due to unfavorable market conditions. Our advisors have informed us that the market volatility may continue depending on how the news of tariffs impacts the stock market. We will be monitoring the conditions in order to list the bonds with the most favorable conditions for the district.
March 7, 2025:
The kickoff meeting with Architects, staff, and construction services. A rough outline of work was discussed to allow for plans, DSA approvals, and the wisest utilization of fees and services. The timeline includes phase 1 in Summer 2025 and Phase 2 in Spring 2025-Winter 2027.
The first CBOC meeting will be held on March 17th.
Sierra Unified's Measure U bonds have been rated A+ by Standard and Poore's and we are on track for an April issuance of the first series of bonds.
The first CBOC meeting will be held on March 17th.
Sierra Unified's Measure U bonds have been rated A+ by Standard and Poore's and we are on track for an April issuance of the first series of bonds.
February 28, 2025
Darden Architects was onsite over Winter Break conducting 3D scans of all areas affected
by the project.
CBOC (Community Bond Oversight Committee) has been selected and Board Approved.
First meeting will be March 17th. The CBOC members may be found HERE.
Standard and Poor’s ratings have not yet been completed. We expect this to now occur in
March.
by the project.
CBOC (Community Bond Oversight Committee) has been selected and Board Approved.
First meeting will be March 17th. The CBOC members may be found HERE.
Standard and Poor’s ratings have not yet been completed. We expect this to now occur in
March.
February 14, 2025
The Sierra Unified School District is excited to announce that Mark Wilson Construction (MWC) has been selected as the contractor for the Sierra High School Modernization Project. After a competitive selection process, which included an evaluation of qualifications, fee proposals, and interviews, MWC achieved the highest overall score and was deemed the best value for the District.
This important project is funded through Measure U Bond Sales and has a construction estimate of $18,949,500.00. The next step in the process will be design and preconstruction services to determine a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), which will be presented to the Board for approval in the near future.
We are committed to ensuring the success of this project and look forward to sharing updates with our community.
For questions, please contact:
Kelly Capps, Director of Facilities and Transportation – kcapps@sierrausd.org
This important project is funded through Measure U Bond Sales and has a construction estimate of $18,949,500.00. The next step in the process will be design and preconstruction services to determine a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), which will be presented to the Board for approval in the near future.
We are committed to ensuring the success of this project and look forward to sharing updates with our community.
For questions, please contact:
Kelly Capps, Director of Facilities and Transportation – kcapps@sierrausd.org
February 7, 2025
Interviews were held Monday for Lease-Leaseback contractors.
The Lease-Leaseback contractor will be placed before the board for approval on Monday, February 10th.
A scheduled kickoff meeting will occur with Darden Architects February 14th.
We will be attending a Standard and Poor’s Credit review for the district on February 12th in San Francisco.
The Lease-Leaseback contractor will be placed before the board for approval on Monday, February 10th.
A scheduled kickoff meeting will occur with Darden Architects February 14th.
We will be attending a Standard and Poor’s Credit review for the district on February 12th in San Francisco.
January 31, 2025
The contract with Darden Architects has been completed.
Interviews are scheduled next Monday for Lease-Leaseback contractors.
Civil is scheduled to perform the Topographic survey, mapping and Utility locate on February 17-21.
APEX will be on site to scan the interior and exteriors of the buildings February 17-21.
Interviews are scheduled next Monday for Lease-Leaseback contractors.
Civil is scheduled to perform the Topographic survey, mapping and Utility locate on February 17-21.
APEX will be on site to scan the interior and exteriors of the buildings February 17-21.
January 24, 2025
Architect Agreement is completed and ready for signing party.
Construction Proposals expected January 24th, with preliminary ranking Monday, 1/27.
Facilities Sub-Committee meeting on Monday, 1/27 to review applications for CBOC.
Contractor interviews on 2/3.
3D scans of the high school scheduled for 2/17-2/21.
Construction Proposals expected January 24th, with preliminary ranking Monday, 1/27.
Facilities Sub-Committee meeting on Monday, 1/27 to review applications for CBOC.
Contractor interviews on 2/3.
3D scans of the high school scheduled for 2/17-2/21.
January 17, 2025
We are finalizing the agreement with Darden Architects.
CBOC applications due 1/17/25 to be reviewed 1/27/25.
Lease Leaseback applications from contractors are due 1/24/25. Interviews of the firms will occur 2/3/25.
On 1/13/25 the Board approved a resolution to issue $15 M in bonds. This process will take a few months for the bonds to be sold and funding to be delivered.
CBOC applications due 1/17/25 to be reviewed 1/27/25.
Lease Leaseback applications from contractors are due 1/24/25. Interviews of the firms will occur 2/3/25.
On 1/13/25 the Board approved a resolution to issue $15 M in bonds. This process will take a few months for the bonds to be sold and funding to be delivered.
January 10, 2025
Weekly I will be updating the community on the latest developments moving forward. I hope to share pertinent information with our entire community here. All projects will continue to focus on the areas that were outlined to the community including modernization of Exterior Building Systems, Interior Building Systems and Site Systems. These items are outlined in the facilities master plan needs assessment dated 2024 found on the district and the Saving Sierra High websites.
December 16, 2024:
• The Board of Trustees approved an agreement with Darden Architects as the architectural firm for the Sierra High School Modernization project, which will be paid for with bond funds.
• The Board of Trustees approved a Request for Proposals for Lease-Leaseback Construction Services for the Sierra High School Modernization project.
January 6, 2025:
• A mandatory job walk was conducted with interested contractors.
• Follow up items from meeting:
* Sealed proposals are due on January 24, 2025.
* The Board of Trustees will make a selection from these proposals at the February 10, 2025 board meeting.
• A mandatory job walk was conducted with interested contractors.
• Follow up items from meeting:
* Sealed proposals are due on January 24, 2025.
* The Board of Trustees will make a selection from these proposals at the February 10, 2025 board meeting.
The story behind measure u
The story behind measure u![]()
The story behind measure u
The mission of community committee, Saving Sierra High, began as a response to the pressing need for modernization of the aging infrastructure at the Sierra High campus, dating back nearly a century.
Saving Sierra High has proudly served the Sierra Unified School District community, rallying support for campus improvements and advocating for a better learning environment for students and staff. Due to these great efforts, on November 6, 2024, Sierra Unfied School District succedded in passing Measure U, the first bond to be passed in the history of the district.
Saving Sierra High has proudly served the Sierra Unified School District community, rallying support for campus improvements and advocating for a better learning environment for students and staff. Due to these great efforts, on November 6, 2024, Sierra Unfied School District succedded in passing Measure U, the first bond to be passed in the history of the district.
the master plan
the master plan![]()
the master plan
The Facilities Master Plan Needs Assessment is a vital step in ensuring that the Sierra High School/Sierra Alternative High School facilities are equipped to meet the evolving needs of students and educators. This comprehensive plan seeks to evaluate the conditions, capacities, and functionalities of school facilities, with the overarching goal of providing a healthy, safe, and conducive environment for learning.
SAVING SIERRA HIGH
