Case study

Glendora School District Facility Needs Assessment

School Leaders partnered with Glendora Unified School District to conduct a comprehensive Facility Needs Assessment, guiding strategic investment and modernization across all campuses. The assessment provided district leaders with a clear roadmap to prioritize improvements and build future-ready learning environments.

Facility Needs Identified: $96m
Value: N/A
Duration: 3 months

Glendora School District Facility Needs Assessment

Overview

Glendora Unified serves over 7,000 students across elementary, middle, and high schools. Recognizing the need for modern, safe, and adaptable campuses, the district selected School Leaders to lead a district-wide Facility Needs Assessment to identify key areas requiring attention—including safety, technology, accessibility, and deferred maintenance. Our team evaluated every GUSD campus, assessing the condition of buildings, infrastructure, outdoor facilities, and instructional environments. The findings provided a data-driven guide for future bond planning, budget development, and phased project implementation. With a focus on enhancing student learning and safety, we delivered a clear, actionable roadmap aligned with the district’s strategic goals.

Scope of work

Full-Site Assessments:
Conducted walkthroughs and evaluations of buildings, grounds, athletic fields, MPRs, kitchens, and tech infrastructure.
Cost Estimating & Phasing:
Delivered site-specific cost breakdowns and master phasing strategies, empowering the district to prioritize investments efficiently.
Board-Ready Reports:
Developed professional reports with graphics, estimates, and site profiles for transparent district-wide planning.
Stakeholder Communication:
Equipped district leaders with data to engage the community in future bond planning and facilities prioritization.

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Successes

Strategic Roadmap Created:
Provided a clear facility improvement plan tied to budget realities and long-term district goals.
Data-Driven Decision-Making:
Enabled the district to prioritize improvements based on safety, cost, and educational impact.
Foundation for Funding:
Set the stage for future bonds, state funding applications, and responsible fiscal planning.

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Challenges

Aging Campuses:
Many buildings date back to the 1950s and 60s, creating significant deferred maintenance backlogs.
Outdated Portables:
Dozens of aging portables were identified for replacement, some dating to the 1990s.
Student Growth & Equity:
Evolving student needs demand more flexible learning spaces and equitable conditions across all schools.

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Highlights

Safety & Security:
Recommendations included perimeter fencing replacement across campuses, improved access controls, security camera installations, and emergency preparedness infrastructure.
Deferred Maintenance & Infrastructure:
Identified critical repair needs in plumbing, roofing, HVAC, and flooring; included prioritized timelines to reduce long-term costs.
Classroom Modernization:
Suggested updates to portables, flooring, classroom finishes, and digital instructional tools like interactive boards across all sites.
Accessibility Compliance (ADA):
Reviewed and outlined modifications needed for entries, restrooms, and paths of travel to meet legal standards.
Recreational & Athletic Spaces:
Recommended shade structures, resurfaced play areas, irrigation upgrades, and playground safety improvements.
Technology & Innovation:
Identified areas to upgrade network infrastructure, replace outdated systems, and support future-ready learning.

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Glendora School District Facility Needs Assessment — additional image

From our team

Perspective on this kind of engagement

40 Years Transforming Schools: Joe Dixon on Building Communities Through Better Facilities

Meet Joe Dixon, founder of School Leaders and a 40-year veteran of transforming educational environments. From starting at the bottom of Capistrano Unified in 1984 to leading Prop 51's passage for California school funding, Joe's journey proves that great schools create great communities — sometimes one lunch table at a time.

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