Hull Middle School Relocation
Frequently Asked Questions
January 21, 2007
1. Why wasn't Hull rebuilt with Measure R funds?
When Measure R was passed, $2.8 million was set aside to be "matched" with state funds ($3.2 million). Due to no state funds available in 1998 when Measure R was passed, it was necessary to wait until late 2002 for the state money.
By that time, the cost to construct Hull had increased from $6 million to over $12 million dollars. That was due to the increased cost of construction and additional due diligence requirements that had to be addressed (Americans with Disabilities Act, fire/life safety, Department of Toxic Substance Control).
In 2006, the cost to construct the "new" Hull had risen to $20 million.
2. How were Measure R funds used for projects in TUSD?
Measure R funds were originally intended to be spent on infrastructure improvements, due diligence projects, and facility upgrades such as new flooring, painting, etc. Due to the time between the original passage of Measure R and the receipt of state matching dollars, there was a significant increase in the cost of construction. This necessitated the "descoping" (removal) of projects from some of the schools. Those schools that were scheduled later did not receive as much as those that were modernized in the first phase of construction.
3. Why is it necessary at this time to disallow student occupancy of the Hull classrooms?
Effective September, 2007, the majority of the classrooms at Hull cannot have students in them. This is because these classrooms do not meet the requirements of the Field Act.
4. Did the District receive or qualify for a waiver of the use of Cal Corp relocatables?
No, there is no waiver of the above mentioned statute. The classrooms at Hull were constructed in the 1960's. Legislation passed last year provided a waiver for classrooms constructed after 1979 that met certain criteria. These classrooms do not meet this standard.
5. Why can't the students be accommodated on the Hull campus, in other classrooms.
It would necessary to place 30+ portable classrooms, restrooms, cafeteria and an administrative facility on the current asphalt playground or grass area. All of the current facilities mentioned above are not useable by students. The cost to place this large number of facilities would be in excess of $4 million.
6. How and why was the proposed solution, to move the Hull students to the Levy Education Center, developed?
A broad based committee, consisting of Hull-area parents, community members, teachers and administrators from the affected area was brought together. This committee was charged with the responsibility of reviewing three possible solutions:
- Movement of Hull students to each of their elementary feeder schools
- Identification of one of the elementary school's as a new Hull, with those elementary students being assigned to the remaining two schools,
- The move of Hull students to Levy.
7. How will students, currently attending Hull, be expected to get to the Levy site?
The District has commissioned a traffic study to review this specific topic. From the results of the study, recommendations as to safe routes to school, traffic patterns and the possibility of school bus transportation will be brought forward. Currently, the majority of the students are dropped off by their parents. It is expected that that will continue.
8. Is this permanent?
No! The move of Hull students to Levy, if adopted, will be temporary. When the district is able to pass a general obligation bond issue and have the funds necessary to reconstruct Hull, the students will return.
9. What will happen to the current Hull site?
Currently, the proposal is to move some adult education programs currently housed at Levy, to the Hull campus. The majority of the facilities at Hull, while K-12 students can not use them, can be used by adults.
10. What is the procedure and timeline to accomplish this?
First, the district must complete a Mitigated Negative Declaration under the California Environmental Quality Act, specifically in the area of traffic. Once that is completed, the Board of Education will be asked to approve the project, the move of Hull Middle School to Levy. This will happen in March. Once the project is approved, the Levy site will be made ready for the Hull students, who will start at the new campus in September.
11. Which relocation scenarios were considered by the committee?
- Move Hull students to Wood and move Wood students to Adams and Torrance Elementary: This scenario would increase Wood's population by 325 students (currently 400 vs 725 from Hull). It would require a minimum of 12 additional classrooms at Wood. It would also require the placement of at least 4 special classrooms (2 science, 1 tech and 1 Voc Arts). Moving Wood students to Adams and Torrance Elem. Would require 9 additional classrooms at each of those campus'. It is our opinion that neither Adams nor Torrance elem. can accept 9 additional classrooms.
This scenario affects 4 schools, requires 1125 students to be moved and the placement of a minimum of 34+ portables. Once Hull is reconstructed, these building would be removed.
- Move Hull students into the 3 above elementaries, making each a K-8 facility. Adams, Torrance Elem. and Wood would each be increased in enrollment by 240 students. It would require the placement of a minimum of 10 additional portables at each of these campus' plus the addition of at least 2-3 special classrooms at each (1 science, 1 tech, and 1 voc. arts). Again, it is our opinion that Adams and Torrance elem. can not accept 10- 12 additional portables without seriously encroaching on their open space.
This scenario affects 4 schools, requires 725 students to be moved and the placement of a minimum of 33+ portables. Once Hull is reconstructed, these building would be removed.
- Move Hull students to Levy: It would require the placement of 1 science room and 2 additional portables to accommodate the student population. The programs currently at Levy (Adult Ed. and Educational Services) can be moved to Hull and the Educational Materials Building.
This scenario affects 1 K-12 school, requires 725 students to be moved and the placement of 3 portables. Once Hull is reconstructed, this campus could be utilized for another school purpose.
- Move Hull students to Torrance Elementary and disperse Torrance Elementary students to Adams and Wood. This scenario would increase Torrance Elementary's population by 210 students (currently 515 vs 725 at Hull). It would require a minimum of 7 additional portables at TES. It would also require the placement of at least 4 special classrooms (2 science, 1 tech and 1 Voc Arts). Moving TES students to Adams and Wood would require 11 additional classrooms at each of those schools. It is our opinion that neither Adams nor Torrance Elementary can accept additional classrooms without seriously impacting their open space.
This scenario affects 4 schools, requires 1240 students to be moved and the placement of a minimum of 33+ portables. Once Hull is reconstructed, these building would be removed.
- Keep the Hull students at the current campus by placing portable facilities on the blacktop and grass. This would necessitate the placement of between 34 leased portables. It would require the lease of one science room, adequate restroom facilities, a library and an administrative building and the purchase of a cafeteria facility. It would be necessary to fence off the current Hull buildings from the new campus. The two existing buildings that can be used would be separated from the main campus because of this fence.
Since there are no utilities in this area (electric, water, sewer, etc.) they would have to be installed. Besides the existing electrical on the site, additional electric service would have to be brought in due to the air conditioning requirements of the portables. The current sewer system would have to be evacuated and a new service brought in. Due to the extensive nature of this project, it is doubtful that it could be completed by September of this year.
The estimated cost to complete this scenario would be in excess of $5,000,000 (click here for a detailed list). Once Hull is rebuilt, these facilities would be removed.
