(PLEASANTON, Calif.) - A proposal to move part of the Pleasanton Unified School District's maintenance operations onto the grounds of Hearst Elementary School has raised concerns about student safety, traffic, and the possible loss of green space.
The district has not made a final decision. It is still weighing several options for relocating its Maintenance, Operations and Transportation (MOT) facilities, with further discussion expected in 2027.
At an Aug. 12 Board Facilities Committee meeting, district officials reviewed three possible locations.
Under the first option, the district would build its main maintenance facility at Hearst Elementary School and use a vacant area near Pleasanton Middle School for bus parking. Both schools are on Case Avenue.
The proposed Hearst site covers approximately 3 acres near the intersection of Case and Valley Avenues. The area is close to the school's playground and Kids' Club child care center.
The second option would involve renovating existing district office space for maintenance operations, Child Nutrition Services, and warehouse storage, with bus parking at Hart Middle School.
A third option, placing the facility at Pleasanton Middle School, was considered unsuitable because of the campus layout and limited access to the rear of the property.
According to the district's presentation, the Hearst option would cost more upfront but allow the district to retain rental income from its existing property. The district office option would be less expensive and could be completed sooner, although it would mean giving up that rental income.
Photo Credit: Pleasanton Unified School District - The proposed Maintenance, Operations and Transportation facilities at both Hearst Elementary and Pleasanton Middle School
Concerns Over Student Safety
One of the proposal's public critics is Thomas Choi, who ran for the Pleasanton Unified School District's Trustee Area 5 seat in the Nov. 3 election.
Choi has opposed using school grounds for maintenance operations. His campaign website, SavePUSD.com, and a petition at SaveHearst.com call on the district to protect Hearst's green space and consider commercial or industrial properties instead.
The petition had reportedly gathered more than 160 signatures after the election.
Opponents are particularly concerned about maintenance vehicles operating near areas used by young children and the possibility of losing outdoor space at the school.
Choi raised these concerns during the Sept. 24 school board meeting. He questioned why the district would consider the more expensive Hearst option when its own presentation identified a cheaper alternative.
“We recognize that the district is working to vacate its old district office to retire the remaining $5 million debt from this Arroyo Center purchase,” Choi told trustees.
He was referring to the district's $23.5 million purchase of the Arroyo Center in 2022. Choi again criticized the proposal during a Sept. 30 candidate forum hosted by Pleasanton Weekly.
“Heavy machinery and heavy vehicles will be going through a very, very busy intersection,” he said.
He argued that bringing additional maintenance vehicles into the area could create problems for students and families traveling to and from school.
What Happens Next?
For now, Hearst Elementary remains one of the locations under consideration, not an approved site for the maintenance yard.
The district must still weigh construction costs, rental income, available space and how each location would affect school operations.
The question for families concerned about Hearst is whether the district can meet its maintenance needs without taking away space currently used by students.
Further analysis is expected to return to the Board Facilities Committee before the school board makes a final decision.
Residents can review the district's Aug. 12 meeting materials for details of the options under consideration.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at joel.m@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below with your thoughts.
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