Construction on the new San Antonio campus remains on track to open in fall 2028, Los Altos School District officials announced recently, highlighting recent design progress, financing plans and construction next steps.
The district purchased the San Antonio property in 2019, though planning paused during the pandemic. “COVID really stopped us in our tracks because our main focus was to educate students,” district officials said at a Jan. 26 board of trustees meeting.
The district selected a design-build team for the project in 2024. A California Environmental Quality Act review was completed that summer, followed by board approval of an updated facilities master plan. Conceptual and schematic designs were approved in 2025, when the board directed that Bullis Charter School would be the first occupant.
Since then, staff said they have incorporated additional input from elementary and middle school principals, focusing on campus supervision, grade configuration and classroom use. The district has also resumed coordination with the city of Mountain View for shared use of fields and a gymnasium.
The first design phase, covering demolition and site utilities, was submitted to the Division of the State Architect in December 2025. Recent design meetings addressed interior finishes, mechanical systems, roofing, and considerations such as sun exposure, shading and building placement. Updated layouts show three classroom buildings, a multipurpose room and gymnasium, outdoor eating areas and shared athletic fields.
According to the district, the second design phase – covering prefabricated classroom buildings – is expected to be submitted by mid-March. Demolition could begin in late spring or early summer, with demolition, underground utilities and site work expected to start by mid-June, and foundations completed by year’s end.
Staff also outlined the district’s Measure EE financing plan. Although voters approved $350 million in bond authorization, the district will sell the funds in four separate issues in 2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032 to stay within tax rate limits. The first bond sale is scheduled for spring 2026.
“We also paid off the bond anticipation notes with the final Measure EE authorization at that time because of our increased reserves and sound fiscal management,” said Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Erik Walukiewicz. “We had a credit rating upgraded that saves the taxpayers a tremendous amount of money over the course of bonds.”
Public comment reflected ongoing community debate over the site’s use. Some speakers said locating BCS at the San Antonio campus would help preserve neighborhood schools and resolve a decades-long facilities dispute. Parent Herb Marshall said, “Providing a charter school with their own facility while preserving our existing school communities seems like the least bad of poor options.”
Others expressed concern that relocating a neighborhood school would disrupt walking routes, childcare arrangements and community ties. Melanie Anderson said, “Moving a neighborhood school changes a lifestyle for many of the families attending that school.”
Trustee Stella Kam reiterated that the board voted 4–1 in October to designate BCS as the first occupant of the San Antonio campus, emphasizing the decision has already been made.
The board is expected to consider a middle school configuration study, districtwide facility standards and a finalized Measure EE project list and timeline at upcoming meetings.
