News

NEWS RELEASE

 

For immediate release

Contacts:
Marc Freitas, Interim Chief of Bonds – Purchasing Department
marc.freitas@arusd.org

Sergio Diaz Luna, Chief of Communications and Community Engagement
sergio.diaz-luna@arusd.org

  

ALUM ROCK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT INVITES DESIGN/BUILD CONTRACTORS
TO PRE-QUALIFY FOR TEACHER AND STAFF HOUSING PROJECT 

District seeks qualified design and building experts for the 78-unit workforce housing project
reserved for local teachers and school district employees.

 

SAN JOSE, Calif., December 16, 2024 – Today, the Alum Rock Union School District (ARUSD) released Request for Qualifications (RFQ) # 2425-Bonds03, Project #1, to pre-qualify Design/Build Contractors for its teacher and staff housing project on a vacant 3.4-acre site located at 2050 Kammerer Avenue, San Jose. The RFQ is the first step in the process to identify firms that will be eligible to submit proposals in response to the District’s subsequent Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the project. The RFQ is available for public review https://www.arusd.org/district/departments/business-services/purchasing/bids.

"As we lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable school district, a key priority for Alum Rock is to create affordable, high-quality housing options that will attract and retain exceptional educators and staff for the benefit of our students,” stated Superintendent German Cerda. “Our teachers and employees are the backbone of the District, and we need to make it possible for them to live in the community they serve. We are excited to take this step toward realizing the vision for a thriving community of teachers and staff in East San Jose."

 

In response to staffing challenges due to the rising cost of living in San Jose, ARUSD conducted a survey of teachers and staff that revealed strong interest in affordable rental housing dedicated exclusively to District employees. To provide quality rental housing with below-market rates aimed at supporting the recruitment and retention of employees, ARUSD began evaluating District-owned properties suitable for developing an employee apartment community.

 

In November 2022, voters overwhelmingly approved Measure S, authorizing ARUSD to issue general obligation bonds to provide, among other capital projects, financing for the construction of workforce housing. Mill Valley, CA-based Education Housing Partners, Inc. (EHP) has been retained to support ARUSD to select a Design/Build Contractor and to assist with the design and entitlement of the project. 

 

All 78 units will be offered at below-market rates, with 50% of the units affordable to lower-income households.  The project will include a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units as well as an approximately 0.7-acre park as an amenity for residents. The park will include a children’s play structure, fenced dog run, lawn, and areas for seating.

 

Respondents shall submit a fully completed and sealed Statement of Qualifications as detailed in the RFQ. Responses are due by 2:00pm on February 14, 2025. Once a list of pre-qualified firms is established, ARUSD will proceed to the RFP phase, which is anticipated in March 2025. Questions regarding the RFQ may be directed in writing to the Interim Chief of Bonds – Purchasing Department, Marc Freitas, at marc.freitas@arusd.org, with copy to Marlon Just-Vargas at mjv@thompsondorfman.com, and must be submitted by 5:00 P.M. on January 17, 2025.

 

About Alum Rock Union Elementary School District

The Alum Rock Union Elementary School District in San Jose is nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Santa Clara Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area. Alum Rock is a family-oriented community committed to its children and schools. The City of San Jose provides a wealth of cultural, recreational, and entertainment activities for all ages in one of the most pleasant climates in the country.

 

Alum Rock schools are neighborhood schools. Classrooms and schools represent the demographics of East San Jose. Parent involvement, community support, English classes, and health outreach services all contribute to school improvement. Standards-based instructional materials and safe campuses make Alum Rock schools a fine place to work and grow as a teacher.

 

 

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Trustee Corina Herrera-Loera has served on the Alum Rock Board of Trustees since 2019. Trustee Herrera-Loera took her oath of office administered by her daughter Citlali.

Trustee Herrera-Loera began her service to the Alum Rock community as a Youth Outreach Worker for the City of San Jose supporting gang-impacted youth, later supported victims of domestic violence, a professor at San Jose State University, and where she serves today as a Juvenile Deputy Probation Officer for the County of Santa Clara. Trustee Herrera-Loera is a member of the Wixarika-Huichol indigenous tribe and active in the Calpulli Tonalehqueh Aztec Dance Group. Congratulations!

Views from a "Walk For the Future Walkathon" - hosted by LUCHA as a fundraiser to get field trip opportunities and school supplies for students to enjoy! Many other sites throughout ARUSD host similar events. The Walkathon has been successful has been successful in raising at least $10,000 for the past several years!

This year's Walkathon was themed Turkey/Santa Trot to bring in the holidays!

The top three students got a Skateboard, Bicycle, and/or Principal for a Day as their award. Congrats!

ARUSD earned the prestigious CSBA Golden Bell Award for the Climate Change Innovation work at Russo/McEntee Academy. Russo/McEntee empowers students to protect nature by providing experiential learning about environmental issues. The Environmental Justice League program nurtures stewardship in their community through field trips, garden classes, developing green spaces on campus, and close partnerships with local environmental non-profits. Additionally, since the program's implementation, they have seen growth in EL reclassification, CAASP ELA scores, and student and staff wellness.

The CSBA Golden Bell Awards® promote excellence in education and school board governance by recognizing outstanding programs and governance practices of school boards in school districts and county offices of education throughout California.

Congratulations to Russo/McEntee for their work!

Trustee Nguyen took his oath of office and had his oath administered by San Jose City Councilmember Peter Ortiz. Trustee Nguyen is a math teacher, club advisor, and former sports coach at Independence High School. He brings a decades worth of experience as an educator and has deep roots in San Jose - being born and raised as well as living nearly his entire life. Congratulations!