Dublin School Board Approves Plan for 2nd High School

DUBLIN, CA–The Dublin Unified Board of Trustees unanimously approved a recommendation at Tuesday night’s regular meeting to initiate planning for a second high school to be constructed on the east side of the Dublin community. The Board also discussed the near-term temporary housing requirements triggered by rapid enrollment growth including addressing the current shortage of lab space at Dublin High School that is impacting junior and senior STEM students.

The recommendation was presented by Superintendent Stephen Hanke following six months of work by the Facilities Master Plan Committee, which reached consensus on the plan at their February 16 meeting, setting the stage for Tuesday’s Board approval. The approved plan for the second high school is contingent on land acquisition and available funding.

The approved recommendation includes a master plan for a new second high school site for up to 2,500 students. The planned high school will be a non-satellite, self-contained program. Construction should be done in phases with the first phase targeting 1,000 student capacity with a completion date of the first phase no earlier than fall of 2021.

“The numbers are clear, Dublin needs a second high school,” said Superintendent Stephen Hanke. “We are excited about putting plans in place to make it happen in phases. We thank the FMPC for the hard work put into this plan and to our community for the continued support of our schools.”

Expansion of the high school would occur in a second phase of 500 students as capacity warrants and funding is available. Further expansion would be in increments of 500 students as capacity warrants and funding is available until 2,500 capacity is reached. Targeted completion dates for additional phases are still to be determined.

The recommendation does not include identification of land or specific funding sources. The district will be working to secure land, as well as funding through multiple sources (GO Bond Measures, Mello Roos, Developer Mitigation Agreements/Fees, state funding, City and local partnerships) to begin the construction process. The Board was also presented with potential contingency options should necessary funding not materialize.

The district initiated the Facilities Master Plan process in August 2015. A Facilities Master Plan Committee (FMPC) was formed with the charge to examine and discuss the facilities needs of Dublin Unified based on the mission, vision and goals of the district. Information on high school growth was provided to the FMPC by the district and Master Plan consultant LPA. On February 16, the committee reached consensus on the recommendation that was brought to the Board of Trustees on Tuesday night.

“The Board feels strongly that a second high school is the right direction for the district in order to continue to offer the best educational opportunities for our students,” said Board President Dan Cunningham. “We appreciate the work of the Facilities Master Plan Committee and the input we have received from the community. Both have been invaluable to this important process.”

Dr. Hanke’s complete recommendation to the Board can be found here.