California

PCSD presents at CCSA Conference 2024

February 28, 2024 by PCSD

PCSD is participating in two sessions at the CCSA Conference in Long Beach.

EDUCATION SESSIONS

Facilities: Finding the Right Place, and Building the Right Space
March 19, 2024 | 11:15 am – 12:30 pm

Long Beach Convention Center, Room 202A

This lively, interactive session will prepare school leaders to effectively navigate the requirements encountered on the road to finding, securing and developing school facilities. Zoning, permitting, and occupancy requirements, environmental regulations, and design choices and constraints impact the development process. Learn about existing regulations, recent developments, and statewide trends as you build your facilities strategy. We will consider stick-built vs. modular, cost-saving design features, pandemic considerations when selecting a site, PLAs, CUPs, and more. This panel is ideal for those looking for next-level content.

Presenters:

Mary Grace Houlihan, Project Director, Northern California, Pacific Charter School Development (Moderator)
John Lemmo, Partner/Attorney, Young, Minney & Corr, LLP
Patrick Ontiveros, General Counsel & Director of Facilities, Magnolia Public Schools
Richard Berliner, Principal, Berliner Architects

District/Charter Leases – Can’t We All Just Get Along?
March 19, 2024 | 3:25 pm – 4:40 pm

Long Beach Convention Center, Room 202B

Understand what to consider when negotiating a long-term ground lease with your local school district. How do I bring the school district to the table and get the best terms? What do I need to include in the lease to build what I need, finance the project, and meet all legal requirements? What should I avoid? Hear from veterans about KIPP, Envision, and Ed for Change projects among others. Join us for a lively discussion and find out!

Presenters:

Jennifer Afdahl Rice, Executive Director, Northern California, Pacific Charter School Development
Adam Kaye, Director Real Estate, KIPP Public Schools Northern California
Monique Daviss, Executive Director, El Sol Science and Arts Academy
Sele Nadel-Hayes, Chief Operating Officer, Envision Schools

Palace Theater Makeover: BayTech Charter School’s Exciting Transformation Project

February 23, 2024 by PCSD

Demolition has officially kicked off at the future home of Bay Area Technology School (BayTech) in the vibrant Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland!

BayTech, a public charter school dedicated to serving grades 6-12, is gearing up for a monumental leap forward as it embarks on the journey to establish its permanent campus.

With roots tracing back to 2004, BayTech has been on a mission to provide quality education to the Oakland community. Currently serving 339 students, the school has faced the challenges of multiple locations over the years. But now, the tide is turning as BayTech takes a major step towards stability and growth.

The project site, once home to the historic Palace Theater, boasts a rich history dating back to the 1920s. From vaudeville acts to movie screenings and even serving as a church space, the Palace Theater has seen it all. Now, it’s undergoing a remarkable transformation into a state-of-the-art educational facility!

To learn more about the purchase of this historic building, check out this article from The Mercury News (March 15, 2023): Historic Oakland theater and church will become tech charter school

Finance Team Tours Northern California Sites

January 30, 2024 by PCSD

The PCSD Finance team met up with our Northern California team for a comprehensive tour of in progress charter school facility projects. They started the day at Navigator Schools Gilroy Prep which is set to expand capacity to support TK students. They then proceeded to Voices College-Bound Language Academies in Morgan Hill where groundwork has been laid to support modular buildings. The new campus is scheduled to open for the 2024-2025 school year. They visited Navigator Schools Hayward Collegiate which will be adding TK students. The day concluded at Bay Area Technology School (BayTech Charter School), where construction is underway for a new school at The Palace Theater in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood

Leadership Public School (LPS) Visit

November 14, 2023 by PCSD

Who did you meet with today?

Today I had the opportunity to meet Nick Robinette and Dave Thalman from Clark Sullivan, Sandra Lee from Lionakis, Anna Olsen from PCSD, and Christopher Harrell, Brent Daniels, and Chanthip Phongkhamsavath from Leadership Public Schools (LPS).

Where do they work?

In general, they all work for different firms but are working to construct a new structure for Leadership Public Schools (LPS). Currently, they are building an extra space to create more learning space for students in LPS; PCSD has managed the project to provide LPS the opportunity to build this space. Furthermore, I was able to see how much help they all contributed to this. Though Nick is a general contractor at Clark Sullivan, his background in design has helped further the modeling of the building, especially since there is a limited amount of space to work with. Sandra’s background in architecture at Lionakis has contributed a lot with the underground work. All these people have contributed a lot to this project in different ways.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

Today I was able to get to know the background that goes into building a project like the new LPS building; and how the architect and construction team come into play with this. I highlighted a lot of important factors that may be needed so that issues like the code requirements don’t become an issue later on. I learned that there is different software that go into planning a project that ultimately helps these plans become completed. When determining the time of completion for construction projects, scheduling software is especially helpful because it provides an estimated time using historical data. Among several other highlights, I discovered that when working with projects like building school-related properties electricity is especially important since it is highly necessary to students and staff. Electrical engineers are also a very important factor to managing projects that need a lot of electricity overall.

What insights did you gain?

Insights into this week’s visit are the small details that a school facility should have to make the facility a lot better for students. I highlighted the mention of sheer walls because compared to other buildings sheer walls are specifically designed to provide structural support and can help keep noise in one area. I also gained a lot of insight that isn’t really talked about when coming into the architect field. Sandra talked about her experience in the field and the process. I like that she mentioned so much about her school process, the test, and what the test/exams consist of and how far she has come and where she is now in being officially licensed.

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today?

By far I would say that getting to know the overall process that goes into constructing was really interesting, but coming back from certain setbacks was also interesting to know because it makes the experience more real, rather than just making it seem like everything is easy. I was also interested to learn how different as well as difficult it can be to construct and plan projects that have schools that are so connected like LPS and Castlemont.

Looking at the computerized plans for the site

Uncovering the World of Real Estate Development: PCSD’s Recent Adventure at Lighthouse Community Public Schools

October 30, 2023 by PCSD

The journey for the right career path is what makes events like job fairs an invaluable resource for students. Recently, Pacific Charter School Development (PCSD) had the privilege of participating in the Lighthouse Community Public Schools job fair, where I was able to present alongside toy designer, Mr. Chip.

The focus of my presentation? Real estate development – a field that offers an incredible array of opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Whether you’re starting at the entry level or aiming for the C-suite, there’s a place for everyone in this dynamic industry. As I was able to highlight, you can choose to work out in the field, in an office setting, or even find a role that combines the two.

High school students, known for their candid and curious nature, were eager to engage with us. Their questions ranged from the practical, “What’s a day in your life like?” to the ever-important, “What’s the salary?” But it was one question that truly resonated – “Is this something you always wanted to do?” I shared my personal journey, revealing that my passion for economic development as a way of supporting the community wasn’t discovered until my junior year in college. This just goes to show that finding your true calling doesn’t always happen overnight, and it’s okay to explore different paths.

PCSD is committed to breaking down the barriers to entry in the world of real estate development, making it accessible to all who are interested in exploring this exciting industry.

A Landmark Moment for Voices Academies: Groundbreaking at the New Morgan Hill Campus

October 12, 2023 by PCSD

At Pacific Charter School Development, we are thrilled to have participated in the recent groundbreaking ceremony held by Voices College-Bound Language Academies. This event marked a significant milestone for Voices, a network of public charter schools dedicated to serving primarily Latino communities in Santa Clara, Contra Costa, and San Joaquin counties. The ceremony took place at the construction site of their new Morgan Hill campus, a project that signifies much more than just bricks and mortar for this community.

Voices College-Bound Language Academies was founded by educator Frances Teso in 2007. Its mission is to prepare all students for higher education while fostering pride in their cultural heritage. This dedication to academic excellence and equity has made Voices a beacon of hope for many families in the region.

On September 30, Voices celebrated a “landmark moment” at the construction site of their future Morgan Hill campus. The event, attended by city officials including Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner, community leaders, families and supporters, underlined the importance of this new venture. The Morgan Hill campus will be Voices’ first owned campus, and it represents a significant step in securing the organization’s legacy for years to come.

The vision behind the new Voices Morgan Hill campus is more than just new buildings. Aldo Ramírez, the CEO of Voices College-Bound Language Academies, captured the essence of this project when he stated, “Voices is more than a collection of schools—we are a familia united in our shared commitments to excellence, equity, and fostering a love for learning.” The new campus demonstrates the powerful strength of the community that supports Voices, and it is a symbol of what can be achieved together, not only in the present but also for future generations.

The Morgan Hill campus will serve students from TK to 8th grade, offering 18 new classrooms, an outdoor covered lunch area, a quiet garden, and two playgrounds. The construction of this campus began last month after several years of planning, advocacy, and community partnerships.

At Pacific Charter School Development, we are honored to be a part of this project for Voices College-Bound Language Academies. We share their commitment to academic rigor, cultural pride, and educational excellence. This new campus in Morgan Hill symbolizes a brighter future for the students and families it will serve, and it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and community spirit. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact this campus will have on students, families, and the community as a whole. It is indeed a landmark moment, and we look forward to witnessing the transformative journey that Voices is embarking on.