LASD Board Highlights

Blach Junior High School's Architecture and Interior Design students recently showcased their groundbreaking container home projects, demonstrating the power of public learning initiatives. Under Principal Spenader's leadership and teacher Ms. Patty Hsuan's guidance, this program exemplifies the district's commitment to Deeper Learning through authentic, community-connected experiences.

The innovative project challenged students to transform 3-4 shipping containers into functional homes, working directly with teacher-clients in real architectural team environments. This unique approach pushed students beyond traditional design exercises by incorporating client interviews, professional presentation skills, and real-world problem-solving.

Jasmine Li and Amiti Bollineni demonstrated masterful technical skills, creating scale drawings, elevations, floor plans, and 3D models. Their work was distinguished by their thoughtful application of active listening skills during client interviews, which helped them navigate the creative constraints of container architecture.

Elizabeth Ekiel and Tiffany Wong excelled in their collaborative approach, emphasizing empathy-driven design and creative problem-solving. Their project highlighted how understanding client needs can transform technical assignments into deeply personalized design solutions.

Both teams faced and overcame real-world challenges, including team member absences and strict project timelines. Their ability to adapt and maintain high standards despite these obstacles reflected professional-level project management skills.

The project culminated in a community showcase, where students presented their designs to parents and local community members, embodying the program's goal of making learning both public and meaningful. This project represents Blach School's exploratory goal of Making Learning Public, demonstrating how authentic tasks and thoughtful reflection can create deeper, more engaged learners ready for real-world challenges.

Erik Walukiewicz, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, presented an update on the process and timeline for the Strategic Bond Program. Los Altos School District achieved a significant milestone with the passage of Measure EE in November 2024, securing 56.21% voter approval for a $350 million bond program. The bond will fund critical school improvements and modernization projects across the district while maintaining a modest tax rate not to exceed $30 per $100,000 of assessed value.

The Trustees discussed prioritizing projects from the Facilities Master Plan that outlines needs at the 9 school sites. The total cost to complete all the identified projects exceeds the current level of bond funding. In addition, a portion of the bond could be used to pay for construction at the 10th site in Mountain View. Among the projects under consideration are those that would modernize existing classrooms and meet updated state requirements. These include HVAC upgrades, fire alarm systems, AV technology improvements, lighting and controls enhancements, and exterior paint and roofing repairs. New construction at Blach and Egan to accommodate 6th graders on campus, multi-purpose rooms at Oak and Santa Rita, andreplacing portable classrooms at Gardner Bullis were also discussed.

The district is currently in the process of hiring a Bond Program Manager who will asssist the Board and staff on timelines and priorities as it relates to construction and implementation work. The district expects to have a solidified priority project plan and construction timeline in place by the end of this spring.

The project timeline begins with the first bond series in mid-2025, with a sample schedule indicating that the initial issuance could be completed as early as July. As with previous bonds, the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee will ensure that bond funds are allocated according to the language that voters approved in the ballot measure.

Los Altos School District's financial management stands out among its peers, maintaining one of the lowest bond tax rates in Santa Clara County. This achievement builds on a history of successful bond measures in 1998 and 2014, demonstrating the district's commitment to fiscal responsibility. The district's remarkable growth is evidenced by its assessed valuation increase from $11.7 billion in 2007 to $35.3 billion in 2024-25, providing a strong foundation for this new initiative.