We are excited to share with you an update on the progress of current and upcoming school facility projects throughout the district. 

DISTRICTWIDE - FACILITY MASTER PLAN | IN PROGRESS

We are nearing completion of a draft Facility Master Plan that will reflect the vision for the district’s facilities. In addition, a Maintenance Master Plan will address the long-term maintenance requirements associated with the district’s facilities. Both plans complement each other in the planning of ongoing facility maintenance, such as flooring, paint, roofs, and long-term capital improvement projects throughout the district to support quality educational programs. 

The plans are developed in collaboration with facility experts, school and district leadership, and students, plus consideration of community input.

It is anticipated that the draft Facility and Maintenance Master Plans will be presented at a Board of Education meeting within the next few months. 

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - MULTIPURPOSE ROOM UPGRADES | SUMMER 2024

Enhancements to elementary school multipurpose rooms (MPRs) are slated to begin in the summer of 2024 using a phased approach that prioritizes schools without heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Enhancements include the installation of new audio-visual equipment and large ceiling fans for improved air circulation in all elementary schools. 

Schools in the first phase, which will be completed in the summer of 2024, include Rea, California, Eastbluff, Killybrooke, Victoria, and potentially Newport Heights elementary schools. 

Schools currently anticipated to be included in the second phase are Adams, Davis, Paularino, and Sonora elementary schools, plus Early College High School. A prioritized list of additional schools and anticipated timing will be shared in the coming months. It is expected that MPR upgrades at all elementary schools will be completed in the 2024-25 school year. 

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - PLAYGROUNDS | SUMMER 2024

A phased approach to the replacement of elementary school playground equipment used at the lower grades [preschool, transitional kindergarten (TK), and kindergarten], along with rubberized flooring and shade structures, will begin in the summer of 2024.

The lower-grade playgrounds at Rea, California, Eastbluff, Killybrooke, Victoria, and potentially Newport Heights elementary schools are anticipated to be replaced this summer.

A prioritized list of additional schools and specific playgrounds to be replaced will be available in the future, with the goal of upgrading all playgrounds within the next few years. 

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - PERMANENT SHADE STRUCTURES |SUMMER 2024

A phased approach to installing permanent shade structures at all elementary schools, prioritizing lower-grade (preschool, TK, and kindergarten) lunch areas, is expected to begin in the summer of 2024. 

Permanent shade structures will be installed in the lower-grade lunch areas at the following schools this summer: Rea, California, Eastbluff, Killybrooke, and Victoria elementary schools. 

A list of additional shade structure placements at these and other elementary schools will be determined at a later date.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - PORTABLE CLASSROOMS | SUMMER 2024
California, Eastbluff, Killybrooke, and Victoria elementary schools.

Portable classrooms will be installed this summer to support the expanding TK programs at California, Eastbluff, Killybrooke, and Victoria elementary schools. 

The quantity and strategic placement of portable classrooms were coordinated with each school principal to support the need for TK expansion while maintaining valuable campus outdoor play areas.

This project will begin in the summer of 2024 with completion anticipated before the start of the 2024-25 school year.

EASTBLUFF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - MULTIPURPOSE ROOM REFRESH | IN PROGRESS

Co-funded by the Eastbluff PTA and the district, work continues to replace stage curtains, install new window coverings, and upgrade the stage flooring. It is anticipated that this project will be completed by summer 2024.

To better support performances and a variety of school events, the district is developing a districtwide audio-visual standard for multipurpose rooms. Eastbluff Elementary will be one of the first schools to pilot the system, which is anticipated to be installed at all 22 of the district’s elementary schools.

NEWPORT COAST ELEMENTARY - FIELD ACCESS | IN PROGRESS

This project included the addition of an accessible ramp and stairs to the upper grass fields from the lower playground, as well as landscaping. Thanks to a partnership with the Newport Coast Elementary School Foundation, it also included a concrete seating area and shade structures. The final item is the installation of commemorative plaques, which is anticipated to be completed in the spring.

PAULARINO ELEMENTARY - ACCESSIBILITY UPGRADES | SUMMER 2024

Upgrades to the Paularino Elementary School drop-off location will begin this summer to improve access from the existing bus drop-off area to the school entrance. The project includes concrete work to improve the walkway, installation of a handrail, and improved fencing and gate to better accommodate students. 

This project is expected to be completed by the start of the 2024-25 school year.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CORONA DEL MAR MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL - GYMNASIUM UPGRADES | SUMMER 2024

Upgrades to the large gymnasium are expected to begin in the summer of 2024 and include the replacement of the home and visitor bleachers, plus louvers and motors to improve ventilation. It is anticipated that the upgrades will be completed in October 2024.

CORONA DEL MAR MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL - VARSITY BASEBALL & AQUATICS SCOREBOARDS | SPRING 2024

Plans are underway to replace the varsity baseball and aquatics scoreboards at Corona del Mar Middle/High School. Installation of the new scoreboards will not disrupt current field or pool usage, as the existing scoreboard will remain operational during the installation process. The new varsity baseball scoreboard will be located near the left field, and the new aquatics scoreboard will be located in the northwest area of the pool. 

Installation could begin in the spring and be completed by the start of the 2024-25 school year.

ENSIGN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL - STUDENT COURTYARD | IN PROGRESS

Construction of an outdoor student courtyard at Ensign Intermediate School is near completion, with landscaping in progress and placement of a commemorative plaque to be scheduled soon. The project is expected to be completed in March 2024. 

ENSIGN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL - GYMNASIUM UPGRADES | WINTER 2024

Ensign Intermediate School's gymnasium is set to undergo significant enhancements, including the installation of new motorized bleachers, powered basketball hoops, and exhaust fans, as well as the replacement of windows, projector, and screen upgrades, along with some audio-visual upgrades. 

This work is anticipated to begin in the winter of 2024 and be completed by early 2025.

ESTANCIA HIGH SCHOOL - THEATER | IN PROGRESS

Construction of the 350-seat theater at Estancia High School continues with underground utility work, including fire and water line installation; rebar installation and concrete pours are currently in progress.

The project includes a two-story theater with a black box, lobby, box office, front-of-house support services, dressing rooms, scene shop, and costume and prop storage. The project also includes improvements to landscaping, walkways, and plazas, plus the installation of ancillary fencing.

Construction is expected to be complete by the start of the 2025-26 school year.

ESTANCIA HIGH SCHOOL - ASPHALT REPLACEMENT | SUMMER 2024

It is anticipated that improvements to the Estancia High School parking lots will begin this summer. This will include the replacement of asphalt parking lots, ADA improvements, additional fencing, and relocation of storage bins.

As part of this project, the bus drop-off in the front of the school will be relocated to the south lot. This relocation will allow for better access to classrooms, minimize traffic congestion in front of the school, and improve access to the drop-off/pick-up lot on Placentia Avenue.

ESTANCIA HIGH SCHOOL - COURTYARD | SUMMER 2024

Plans are underway to construct a student courtyard with shaded seating and landscaping in the concrete area where the former pool was located. 

It is anticipated that construction could begin as early as the summer of 2024, with projected completion in early 2025.

ESTANCIA HIGH SCHOOL - FOOTBALL TEAM ROOM & WEIGHT ROOM 

Early design work continues in transforming the current drama building into a football team room, coach's offices, and indoor/outdoor weight area. A construction start date will be determined upon completion of the new theater.

NEWPORT HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL - VARSITY BASEBALL/SOFTBALL FIELD RENOVATIONS | IN PROGRESS

The renovation of the Newport Harbor High School varsity baseball and softball fields is expected to be completed this month, with the following items currently in progress:

Baseball Field:

• Replacement of windscreen on fencing

Softball Field: 

• Pour concrete pads for new bleachers and two storage containers.
• Replace deteriorated wood on the backstop.
• General maintenance items, such as electrical and fencing improvements.

NEWPORT HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL - AQUATICS COMPLEX | FALL 2024

This project includes shade structures, lighting, bleacher replacement, a deeper pool, replacement of the pool deck, renovation of the pool building (which includes coaches’ offices, locker rooms, and restrooms), and a new location for the scoreboard.

School and district staff are working collaboratively with the City of Newport Beach to relocate aquatic activities during construction, as the pool will not be available during that time. All efforts will be made to minimize pool closure timing and impact on aquatics programs.

This project is anticipated to begin construction in fall 2024, with completion in fall 2025.

NEWPORT HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL - ALL ACCESS RESTROOMS 

The boys' and girls' restrooms in the Home Arts Courtyard will be renovated and updated to include two single-stall restrooms. This will include new flooring, paint, fixtures, accessories, and lighting. The project is currently in the design phase and is expected to start construction by the end of 2024. 

NEWPORT HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL - THEATER UPGRADE | IN PROGRESS

The Newport Harbor High School theater lighting and sound systems are currently being upgraded with completion expected in July 2024. 

Additional projects — including Costa Mesa High School bleacher expansion, Newport Harbor High School culinary renovation, heating ventilation, and air conditioning in the Newport Elementary and TeWinkle Middle School multipurpose rooms — are currently in the planning/design phase and will be included as part of the Facility Master Plan, anticipated to be completed in early 2024. 

We understand that construction projects may sometimes bring about temporary inconveniences, but the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term challenges. Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work together to enhance our facilities and create optimal learning environments for our students.