School officials are hoping the recent removal of a patch of contaminated soil from John Adams Middle School will allow the long-awaited remodel of the school’s auditorium to qualify for state funding.
At their August 15 meeting, the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board will hold a public hearing as part of the process to officially declare the area clean and advance a request for state money to the California Department of Education.
John Adams Middle School Auditorium Replacement Project will replace and expand the performing arts capacity at the 16th Street School.
The existing JAMS auditorium was closed in 2014 due to structural safety concerns and the reconstruction project will create a new performing arts center in several phases. The first phase would demolish the auditorium, rebuild it anew, and renovate the existing music building. A rehearsal building will be built in the second phase and the final phase is a replacing the music building.
An initial environmental assessment of the site revealed lead-bases paint in the area. The 10 by 10 square is adjacent to the auditorium and the contamination was likely caused by painters using the space to clean their brushes during the original construction of the building. Paint residue was found to a depth of about three feet and the District has removed all 11 cubic yards of soil. Subsequent testing showed the area to be clean.
As a condition of state funding, the Board must hold a hearing on the clean-up. No further work is recommended for the site and pending the outcome of the Board hearing, the District can continue its application for funding.
Track name
The August 15 meeting will also include the formal naming of the Santa Monica High School track after former coast Patrick Cady following his recent death.
“Samohi and the community have expressed interest in this dedication to honor Coach Cady, who worked for Samohi for 34 years, retiring in 2008. He was a social studies teacher and track / cross-country coach,” said the staff report. “Coach Cady was a beloved Samohi teacher and coach who positively impacted the lives of hundreds of students and staff members, and involved in the greater Santa Monica and Malibu communities.”
Bond sale
The Board will be asked to authorize the first sale of general obligation bonds approved by voters under measure SMS in 2018. Staff are recommending issuing up to $110 million of the total $484 million available.
A similar measure passed in Malibu, Measure M, and the Board will also consider sale of $35 million in bonds at their Aug. 15 meeting
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