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Published on 06/09/1999 All articles from this issue

MV-LA construction projects on time

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By Linda Taaffe / Town Crier Staff Writer

Renovation projects at both Los Altos and Mountain View high schools may not be as elaborate as initially planned. Officials from the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District simplified the schools' quad designs after discovering that the scheduled projects were over budget.

The project at Los Altos is budgeted for $8.1 million and the project at Mountain View for $8.3 million. Both projects include the construction of a library, multipurpose room and renovated quads.

Los Altos' quad was about $467,000 over budget. The Mountain View plan was about $246,000 over budget, school officials said.

Robyn Phillips, associate superintendent of business services, said the district made some adjustments and "reduced the scope" of the projects to put them back within the previously allocated budget. Phillips said some unexpected costs, such as replacing deteriorating underground sewer pipes at Los Altos High and the addition of some amenities, pushed the projects over the budget.

"We had a small amount budgeted for the quads," Phillips said. "We got carried away with enthusiasm. Things just kept adding up."

Phillips said the new plan for Los Altos' quad doesn't include an outdoor stage as in the original plan.

She said the district will substitute a less expensive finish on the concrete buildings and will eliminate the decorative columns planned at both schools.

Upgrades for the 400 and 500 wings at Mountain View High came in approximately $600,000 over budget, Phillips said. She said the wings include many special-use rooms, such as labs and a drama room, that have special requirements. Phillips said these special needs cost more than the standard square- foot estimate that the district used for previous classroom renovations.

She said the district was able to cut project costs by $400,000. Officials increased the project's funding by $200,000 to cover the additional costs. The project was budgeted for $3.6 million.

The additional funds will come from the construction project's general fund, where the district has set aside $4 million, she said.

Despite the unexpected budgeting adjustments, construction projects at both Los Altos and Mountain View high schools are moving forward at a steady pace. Nearly 50 percent of the renovation program is complete and 10 projects are at or near completion, district officials said.

Los Altos High's art building, which is adjacent to the school's football field, is scheduled to be completed this August.The retrofit of the Los Altos locker rooms and the demolition of the school quad is scheduled to begin this month.

The projects are part of the district's $58 million construction program.