Architect: $13.8 Mil Needed at San Juan Elementary for Modernization

The oldest elementary school in all of Orange County, San Juan Elementary could use $13.8 million in upgrades and renovations, according to a Capistrano Unified architect.

Included in that figure is $6 million in replacing half of San Juan’s portable classrooms with permanent buildings.

The total amount also includes $1.5 million worth of repairs and routine maintenance the district has deferred in recent years, including those to the floor covering, fencing and the phone system.

The school district hired an architectural firm in 2009 to assess all of the needs across its 55 schools. The report was recently updated with 2013 pricing. The district is facing $822 million worth of needs and only has about $44 million on hand to address them.

The 2013 figures also include $792,000 to buy the latest technology for students.

San Juan Elementary has severe fire-access issues. In the event of a fire, firefighters would not have access to 19,926 square feet of the school’s buildings, considered the third worst such situation in the district.

Below is an easier-to-read legend for the photo above. New construction proposed is in peach, remodels in yellow. 

1.    Administration remodel

2.    New administration building

3.    Library/media center remodel/expansion

4.    New toilets

5.    New kindergarten building (four classrooms)

6.    New two-story building (12 classrooms)

7.    New play surface area

8.    Fire truck turnaround

9.    New play area

10.  Americans with Disabilities Act upgrade

11.  New parking lot layout (46 stalls)

12.  New parking lot layout (33 stalls)

13.  Comprehensive modernization

14.  New ADA walkway

15.  New drainage

16.  New building (four classrooms)

17.  Food service expansion

18.  Staff lounge

Find out the needs at nearby schools: 

• Ambuehl Elementary
• Capistrano Valley High School
• Del Obispo Elementary
• Kinoshita Elementary
• Marco Forster Middle School
• San Juan Hills
• Serra High School