PLEASANTON — The Pleasanton Unified School District board has passed a resolution authorizing school construction projects to continue as “essential” during the shelter-in-place order triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
The board held a virtual, emergency meeting Wednesday to approve the resolution, which outlines construction projects throughout the district. In Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order requiring people to shelter in place, only essential businesses are allowed to continue.
But Bay Area counties imposed a stricter mandate last Tuesday that prohibits most residential and commercial construction.
Exempted from that mandate are public works projects “specially designed as an Essential Government Function by the lead governmental agency.”
Pleasanton Unified has interpreted that to mean its construction projects are essential because they will provide “educational programs in safe, accessible, and structurally sound facilities” available to students after schools are allowed to reopen.
The list of projects includes a library rebuild at Harvest Park Middle School, roof replacement at Fairlands and Alisal elementary schools and Pleasanton and Harvest Park middle schools, phase one of the Lydikensen Elementary School rebuild, fencing at Hearst and Valley View elementary schools and Pleasanton Middle, and followup work to Amador Valley High’s solar project.
School will continue to be held through distance learning as students get their instructions at home from teachers. School buildings throughout the state are expected to remain closed through the end of this academic year.
