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Published on 05/27/1996 All articles from this issue

Editorial

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Setback results in better planning for high schools' renovation

It would have been great if the complex construction plans forLos Altos and Mountain View high schools went off without a hitch.But anyone handling a construction project knows that setbacksand revisions are more the rule than the exception.

Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District officialsdiscovered earlier this month that estimates for classroom renovationswere approximately $45 per square foot more than anticipated.That put the project $2 million over budget.

So district officials did the "prudent and conservative"thing, according to Superintendent Don Phillips - they backedup. The district postponed renovation of 16 to 20 classrooms atboth schools, originally planned for this summer, until next summerand will scale back plans to meet the budget. With a project thiscomplex, the district was wise to wait.

We understand officials are eager to please constituents whovoted for a $58 million bond measure last June to improve schoolfacilities. In fact, it was ambition, Phillips acknowledges, thatmay have led to this particular setback. Officials were gettingback estimates at the same time they were sending out to bid,and the district bypassed some schematic work that might havedetected the problem early.

However, the setback may be a blessing in disguise. The districtis going ahead with all underground utilities to be completedby the end of summer. The district also will build "prototype"classroom wings - seven classrooms at Los Altos, eight at MountainView - beginning mid-October. Both plans make sense. With utilities,it makes more sense to do trenching and lay the utilities allat once instead of continually dig up campus grounds one phaseat a time. And the prototype classrooms will better allow thedistrict to realistically assess what will go right - and whatmight not, according to plan.

Furthermore, by restructuring project management and continuingto rely on the resident-driven Construction Overview Commission,the district appears committed to keeping on schedule and withinthe budget.

The public seems to be aware of this as well. Phillips said hehas not heard one negative comment from residents about the recentdevelopments. It appears the district is still trusted. Officialsare doing all they can not to violate that trust.

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