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The Facts About Fence Replacement
You may have seen
recent
media reports about the Proposition MM fence replacement
project. Upon hearing of the issue, the district immediately reviewed
and
audited all remaining fences in the fence replacement program. The
district
has determined that all fences should be replaced. Because the media
reports
have included partial information, this web page answers
questions about the fencing project and what the district is doing to
review
this issue.
Frequently
Asked Questions
How
many fences have been replaced?
Under
Proposition MM, approximately 117 schools have received or are
scheduled
to receive new fences as listed in the ballot measure and promised to
voters.
Of those, 100 have been completed.
Are
fences part of the Proposition MM ballot measure?
Yes.
Fences are included in school's project lists in the voter's
guide/ballot
measure. Read a sample page
from
the voter's guide/ballot measure.
Why
are fences being replaced?
- The repairs
portion of Proposition MM was designed for health and safety of
students.
Fences that have injured or could potentially injure a student are
being
replaced.
- Of the
fences being replaced, the line posts and fence fabric are often
rusted,
which indicates a weakening of the fence. Also, the rust flakes can
damage
eyes when the fence is disturbed.
- Of the
fences being replaced, the line posts are often rotted just above the
concrete
footing. This is accelerated by San Diego’s corrosive soils and sea air
which shortens the life expectancy of chain link fences. Prior to
Proposition
MM, this caused entire fence lines to completely fall over, such as at
Bay Park Elementary, Sunset View Elementary and the Wiggin site.
- Of the
fences being replaced, most have sharp, twisted selvage at the top
and/or
bottom which has injured students. Putting a plastic cap on the twisted
selvage will not keep someone from removing the cap or breakage of the
cap in the future. The most cost-effective way to properly address
selvage
is to replace the fence.
- The majority
of fences being replaced are 30 - 50 years old and have exceeded their
life expectancy.
How
did the district decide which fences to replace?
Prior
to Proposition MM being passed in 1998, district inspectors surveyed
each
and every site and developed a priority list of fencing repair and
replacement
projects based on worse-case scenarios, current condition, projected
future
condition and life expectancies. Fences have been replaced in order of
priority, starting with the worst fences several years ago.
Why
not repair the fences instead of replacing the fences?
The
district does repair fences when this is a better option. However, with
older fences, it is more cost-effective to replace an entire fence than
to repair it piecemeal with mismatched patches numerous times year
after
year.
Has
the district has replaced newer fencing?
In
a few cases, the district has replaced newer fencing to raise the
height
for security reasons at the school’s request.
How
much is the district spending on fence replacement?
The
district will spend approximately $15 million on fence replacement.
This
is one percent of the total expenditures of Proposition MM.
How
was the district’s fencing contract awarded?
- The majority
of fence replacement projects are being completed through an
“Indefinite
Delivery/Indefinite Quantity” contract. The contract was advertised
regionally
in a public, competitively bid process. A contractor was awarded the
contract
on June 5, 2000, after it was determined that the price was fair and
reasonable.
- The contract
was awarded for one year with four, one-year options and is limited at
$4 million annually. The contract is in its last year option. The
contract
has been renewed annually because the contractor performed well and
because
pricing remained competitive as the cost of construction increased
significantly.
- The contract
has a five percent inflation cap, which has been beneficial to the
district
considering that labor and materials costs, including fences, have
exceeded
this inflation rate and continue to rise.
- Some fence
replacement projects are being performed under separate contracts by
local
companies.
Does the district
review
the fence projects before tasking it to the contractor?
Yes. A district
employee
and contractor walk the school site to determine what work is to be
performed.
The district and contractor prepare independent estimates of the work
based
on contract unit pricing, agree upon a price, then the contractor
proceeds
with the work while a district inspector ensures compliance with both
the
contract specifications and the scope of work. Neighbors are provided
with
30-day notices to explain the dates of the work, to advise that their
foliage
be removed from the district's fence, and to advise that animals be
kept
indoors until the project is completed.
If
the money isn’t used for fence replacement, can it be used for other
needs?
Proposition
MM funds are specifically allocated for repairing district school’s
facilities
as specified in the ballot. These funds cannot be used for books,
computers,
furniture, etc.
Can
the old fences be resold? If so, why replace the fence in the first
place?
By
district and Education Code standards, the majority of fencing is not
reusable
for school use or in areas near children. Donating the fencing to a
charity
is appropriate as long as it is not used around children.
Why
is the fence at Alcott Elementary being replaced?
The
fence at Alcott Elementary is being replaced for safety reasons.
Additionally,
it dates to the mid 1950s, has well-exceeded its life expectancy and is
a non-district standard fence. The line posts and fence fabric is
rusted,
and twisted selvage at the top and bottom poses a danger to students.
Parents
at Alcott Elementary have stated that their students have been injured
on the fence. Specifically at Alcott, the neighbors have encroached on
district property by planting on the district’s easement and allowing
the
plants to impact the district’s fence. When plantings result in vines
that
require the fence for support, the weight from the foliage can become a
safety issue. Also, it corrodes the fence prematurely and impedes
proper
maintenance. Additionally, the plants are not desirable around
children.
Bougainvilleas pose a pricking hazard and morning glories are
classified
as toxic.
What other
projects does
Proposition MM fund?
Projects at existing
schools
have included new libraries, new science labs, new classroom buildings,
technology infrastructure, upgrades to provide access for the
physically
disabled, as well as major repairs (roofing, interior/exterior
painting,
fencing, electrical, plumbing, water in classrooms, lunch court
shelters,
ceiling tile, flooring, etc.). Proposition MM also funds the
construction
of 12 new and three rebuilt schools to relieve overcrowding in the
city's
most densely populated areas. For more information, check out the Proposition
MM website.
Independent Citizens' Oversight
Committee's Review Of Fencing Projects
The Independent
Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC) is an 11-member watchdog group
mandated by the bond measure to monitor Proposition MM implementation
and expenditures. The members are local businesspersons, industry
experts, civil engineers, architects and parents who voluntarily spend
numerous hours reviewing Proposition MM projects and advising the Board
of Education and the public of recommendations prior to expenditure of
funds.
In response
to public concerns, the ICOC conducted an independent investigation of
the district’s fence replacement projects. As part of the
investigation, a well-respected, independent fence expert with more
than 30 years of experience audited the district’s fence replacement
projects. The audit has shown that the district’s fence replacement
projects are diligently planned, fiscally responsible and necessary to
ensure the safety and protection of our students.
For further
information, reports and chronology of events, please review the
following documents:
<<
Back to Proposition MM home page
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Video of independent fence expert
inspecting fence at Kroc Middle. (.MPG format)
Independent fence expert hired by Independent Citizens' Oversight
Committee has conducted an audit in response to citizens' concerns
Jon Tibbits, a civil engineer and member of the Independent Citizens'
Oversight Committee, met with independent fence expert to assess fence
condition
Whittier Center - Old fence has extreme rust
Clairemont High - Old fence has extreme rust
Crawford High - Old fence in danger of falling over
Jackson Elementary - Need to raise height to increase security
Kearny High - Old fence is rusted, buckling and curling
Kroc Middle - Posts are rotted
Marston Middle - Old fence has extreme rust
Carver Elementary - Old fence is leaning
Alcott Elementary - Old fence compared to new fence
 Alcott
Elementary - Old fence compared to new fence
 Alcott
Elementary - Old fence compared to new fence
 Alcott
Elementary - Old posts are bent and rotted
 Alcott
Elementary - Twisted selvage poses safety hazard
 Alcott
Elementary - Knuckled selvage prevents injury
 Alcott Elementary - Neighbor's foliage accelerates
deterioration
Washington Elementary: Repairs aren't a permanent fix and cost more
money in the long run
Washington Elementary - Fence is almost falling over
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