Carver Elementary School

Playground updates


The finishing touches are being put on Carver’s brand-new playground, featuring a vibrant blue-and-yellow design. The new play area will include rubberized surfacing and shade canopies, creating a comfortable and welcoming space for students to play throughout the school day.

Before the playground opens, the district will conduct a comprehensive safety inspection to ensure the new equipment and surfacing meet required standards and are ready for Carver’s youngest learners. We look forward to welcoming students to their new playground and seeing the space come to life!

Proposed new TK/Kindergarten building

Planning also continues for Carver’s proposed new Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten building, which is currently in the schematic design phase.

Located on the northwest side of campus, the proposed project includes 10 TK/K classrooms designed to better support Carver’s educational program and to allow the future removal of existing portable classrooms. Plans also feature dedicated play spaces, a courtyard, and landscaping, with classrooms designed to provide consistency while offering flexibility for future technology, furnishings, and evolving instructional needs.


The design team is also evaluating student pick-up and drop-off options, with a traffic study planned as the project progresses. Architectural concepts draw inspiration from the community’s traditional Mission-style character, creating a facility that complements the existing campus while meeting the needs of future generations of Carver students.

Note: Projects in schematic design are subject to change, and no official Board of Education approval has been granted to begin construction.

Proposed layout of a TK/Kindergarten building at Carver Elementary School.

Current progress of Carver playground.

Valentine Elementary School

Playground status

As at Carver, the finishing touches are underway on Valentine Elementary School’s brand-new playground. Rubberized surfacing featuring colorful wave designs has already been poured in portions of the play area, with the remaining sections to be completed soon.

Before the playground opens, the district will conduct a comprehensive safety inspection to ensure the new equipment and surfacing meet required standards and are ready for Valentine students. We look forward to welcoming students to their new playground and seeing the space come to life!

Proposed new two-story building


Planning also continues for Valentine’s proposed new two-story building, which is currently in the schematic design phase. The new facility is primarily intended to serve fourth- and fifth-grade students while also supporting broader campus needs.

Current concepts include new classrooms, a multipurpose room, kitchen facilities, and spaces supporting physical education. As plans are developed, the design team is carefully navigating existing site easements and required fire-access lanes.

The proposed building draws inspiration from the traditional Mission-style architecture found throughout San Marino while creating modern, flexible learning environments designed to serve students for years to come.

In preparation for the proposed project, temporary classrooms have been installed on campus. Existing portable classrooms will be relocated once the project receives the necessary approvals and construction is ready to begin.

New shade structures at the pick-up/drop-off site


More shade is also coming to Valentine’s main drop-off area! With generous support from the Valentine PTA, new shade structures are planned to provide a more comfortable, shaded area for students and staff during arrival and dismissal.

The Valentine PTA allocated nearly $130,000 during the 2025–26 school year toward the project. We are grateful for the PTA’s continued partnership and investment in improvements that directly benefit Valentine students and staff.

Note: Projects in schematic design are subject to change, and no official Board of Education approval has been granted to begin construction.

Proposed layout of a two-story building at Valentine Elementary School.

New rubberized surfacing is now in place on parts of the Valentine playground.

San Marino High School

Winter break plans

The San Marino High School field is already getting plenty of use, and the community has had the opportunity to see it shine under the Friday night lights. More improvements are on the way, with the track scheduled to be redone over winter break and completed in time for 2027 activities.

A new digital scoreboard is also planned, adding another exciting upgrade to the field and helping modernize the overall athletic experience for students, families, and spectators.

And another long-awaited improvement is coming to campus: air conditioning in the big gym! This upgrade will provide a more comfortable environment for students, staff, athletes, and visitors throughout the year.


Changes following geotechnical surveys

Over the past several months, the district has been exploring opportunities at San Marino High School to expand Career Technical Education (CTE) programs through campus modernization and potential new construction.

As part of that planning process, required geotechnical investigations were conducted to better understand conditions associated with the Raymond Fault, which runs through portions of the SMHS campus. The findings identified building restrictions in the southwest area of campus that prevent the proposed new construction from moving forward at that location.

With this new information, the Bond Program team is looking at alternative on-campus locations for new construction and exploring ways to modernize existing facilities. The goal remains the same: to identify the best path forward to support expanded CTE opportunities, additional instructional space, and the evolving needs of SMHS students.

While the geotechnical findings require a change in plans, they are an important part of ensuring that future improvements are thoughtfully designed and meet all applicable safety and construction requirements.

(L) Photo of new field in use during a football game. (R) Zones under consideration following discovery of additional fault lines.

With forecasts indicating a strong El Niño season, the district is taking proactive steps to prepare our campuses for increased rainfall and potential flooding.

As part of these preparations, the district evaluated the roofs at all four campuses to identify and prioritize the areas most in need of repair. Work has been underway over the past several months, including roofing improvements at Huntington Middle School, with additional work planned at San Marino High School.

The district also has a rapid-response service in place for roof leaks. If a leak is detected, a repair team can be dispatched within 24 hours to address the issue and help prevent further damage.

These preventative measures are part of the district’s ongoing commitment to maintaining safe, well-protected facilities and being prepared for changing weather conditions.

Measure M Hotline

If you have questions about Measure M or need answers about construction projects, please use our Measure M hotline at 626-299-7003. Leave a voicemail and someone will return your call within a business day.

Breakdown of budget

The Board Study Session also included an in-depth review of the $200 million Measure M Bond Program budget, providing the Board of Education with updated cost estimates for each of the district’s major construction projects.


As planning and design continue, the district remains focused on being thoughtful and responsible with Measure M funds. Each project is being carefully evaluated to balance cost with long-term value, ensuring new and modernized facilities are built to last while providing the flexibility to adapt as educational programs and student needs evolve.

To view the complete Board Study Session presentation, visit the SMUSD YouTube page.