CUSD Architect Says Chaparral Needs $8.5 Mil in Upgrades

Although in the newer community of Ladera Ranch, Chaparral Elementary already needs $8.5 million in modernization projects.

The bulk of that, $6 million, would go toward replacing half of the existing portable classrooms with permanent structures. Another $1 million would be spent on routine maintenance projects the district has postponed in recent years, including paint, fire alarm and roofing.

The Capistrano Unified School District commissioned an intense study of all of its facilities. Issued in 2009, the report was recently updated with 2013 pricing. The district is facing $822 million worth of needs and only has about $44 million on hand to address them.

The updated total also includes $684,000 to buy state-of-the-art technology for students.

Chaparral has one or more classrooms smaller than the state-mandated minimum of 960-square feet. The school was built at a time when classes were smaller.

On the other hand, Chaparral is one of only six schools district-wide which meets California capacity laws for essential facilities, such as classrooms, toilets, drinking fountains, parking, library and administrative space.

Below is an easier-to-read legend for the photo above. New construction, which originally included replacing all the portables, is in peach, remodels in yellow. 

1.    Classroom remodel

2.    Kindergarten classroom remodel

3.    Kindergarten room expansion

4.    New toilets

5.    Kindergarten play area expansion

6.    New building (14 classrooms)

7.    New play surface area

8.    Fire truck turnaround

9.    New play area

10.  Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades

11.  New music room

12.  New roof

13.  New resource specialist program room

14.  Acoustical separation

15.  Resource room

16.  Storage

17.  New reading room

Find out the needs at other nearby schools:

• Ladera Ranch Middle and Elementary schools
• Oso Grande Elementary
• San Juan Hills High
  
• Tesoro High School