Carlsbad Unified School District

The District selected Gafcon Management to manage the Proposition P bond program, including the design and construction of the new Sage Creek High School, the modernization and new construction at Carlsbad High School, and technology and security upgrades to six middle and elementary schools. We also provided as-needed staff augmentation services for the District’s Measure HH bond.

As program and project managers, our team ensured that the modernization of Carlsbad High School was completed with little disruption to students and faculty. Many buildings were demolished, and the campus was almost entirely rearranged to add 11 new classroom buildings, a stadium, and a wrestling building along with the renovation of all sports fields.

Building the new Sage Creek High School on an environmentally sensitive site was a challenge. We successfully negotiated and incorporated mitigation measures from three Environmental Impact Report (EIR) lawsuits into the project during design. Those efforts led to Division of State Architect (DSA) approval and completion of the EIR, saving a full year on the schedule.

Closing out the Proposition P bond program, Gafcon Management also completed the delivery of the Sage Creek Performing Arts Center, a 16,500-SF facility housing an array of programs including choir and instrumental music, musical theatre, drama, and dance. During the bidding process, the District grappled with both a tight construction labor market and unexpected cost increases in concrete and steel. At no cost to the District, we collaborated with the architects to reduce scope and complete minor facility redesigns to maintain the original budget. Ultimately, through aggressive management of the soils work, we were able to buy back all the items value-engineered out of the Performing Arts Center.