Martinez Unified Approves $35M Alhambra High Project, Names Ayotte Superintendent

Martinez Unified's Governing Board committed about $35 million to replace Alhambra High School's Building F on Oct. 12, 2026, even though the project uses up nearly all of its $5 million contingency. The same night, trustees made Janelle Ayotte permanent superintendent on a voice vote. Public speakers pressed the board on the former superintendent's lawsuit and on the refinery it had just honored.

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• $35M Building F design-build approved, running about $4.8M over the master-plan budget
• Janelle Ayotte named superintendent through June 30, 2029, at a $270,000 base salary
• Refinery honored for $281,000 in giving as speakers and a trustee cite its pollution record
• Contract talks open with teachers and classified staff as the union warns of a $700,000 hit if Prop 3 fails
• Speakers demand answers on Dr. Patrick's firing as her discrimination lawsuit goes forward

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Alhambra High Rebuild Eats Nearly All Contingency

The basics: Resolution 2027-07 approves a design-build agreement with BHM. Under design-build, one contract covers both design and construction. The project replaces Building F, which has 12 classrooms, with a 17-classroom building and adds campus upgrades.

Why it matters: The project consumes $4.8 million of a $5 million contingency. Staff signaled that more money may need to come from the district's Fund 35, or other projects may shrink.

Where things stand: The master plan budgeted just under $29 million. BHM was the lowest responsive bidder at about $30.5 million. Alternates add about $1.7 million for a staff kitchenette, HVAC in Buildings A and L, and switchgear. That brings the total to about $35 million. The fee for Cummings Group, the project manager, is up to 8% and may be trimmed.

"We're coming in about $4.8 million more than what we had hoped to spend, but it is within our contingency," said Andy Cannon, district staff.

Cannon said Fund 35 holds $17.6 million, with $4 million earmarked for Morello Park. He expects about $5.6 million back from John Swett and hopes for roughly $5.2 million more in reimbursement tied to the high school and junior high.

Trustee Logan Campbell asked about bond timing: "So does it make sense to backfill some of that $4.8 million from that fund now." Cannon replied that the district will sell another bond tranche in May.

Trustee Courtney Masella-O'Brien confirmed the math: "So the contingency for the entire project was $5 million, and this is going to be $4.8 million of that?" When she asked what happens if costs rise further, Cannon was direct: "Most likely I'll be asking the board for consideration to use more Fund 35 to continue the projects we have, or we would possibly scale back those projects."

The other side: Public commenter Craig Lazzaretti asked about the project labor agreement (PLA). A PLA is a pre-negotiated labor contract that covers a construction project. He raised unresolved disputes between the carpenters union and the building trades, and asked whether the PLA discourages bidders. He also asked whether tariffs explain the overruns. "I hope as we move forward with this project, whatever lingering issues there have been resolved," he said. No board response was recorded.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Trustee Anne Martin moved the resolution and Campbell seconded. It passed on a voice vote with no tally announced. Alhambra High students and staff gain five classrooms and new HVAC. Other Measure O projects now compete for a thinner cushion of money.

What's next: The bond tranche sale is in May. Expect Cannon to return if costs climb.

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Ayotte Gets the Job — and Inherits the Questions

The basics: The Brown Act is California's open-meetings law. It requires the board to read executive pay aloud before voting on it.

Where things stand: Board Chair Tania Brugger reported the terms. The contract runs Oct. 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. "Her annual base salary of $270,000, which is step 1 of the attached superintendent salary schedule," Brugger said.

Benefits follow the standard package for certificated managers. They include health insurance, mileage and master's-degree stipends, and longevity pay after five years. Brugger cited Ayotte's 25-year career, including 15 years in Martinez Unified and six months as interim superintendent.

Superintendent Janelle Ayotte thanked the board and her family. "My commitment is to lead with integrity, to listen carefully, to communicate honestly, and to make thoughtful decisions that keep students at the center of our work," she said.

The other side: Before closed session, Lazzaretti said he would support Ayotte if there is consensus she is leading effectively. He also posed six questions about former superintendent Dr. Patrick:

• Why was she not fired for cause?
• Why was consensus not built?
• What about implicit bias training?
• What outside influences were involved?
• What performance steps did her contract specify?

Public commenter Linda Oliveira said, "I personally am glad that this lawsuit has been filed." She called past superintendent departures and the earlier Brittany Ayala episode suspicious. She said she hopes the community learns why Patrick was terminated.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Campbell moved the appointment and Martin seconded. It passed on a voice vote with no tally announced. Trustees did not respond to the questions about Patrick and reported nothing from closed session. Leadership is now settled, but the pending discrimination lawsuit keeps the board's past decisions open to legal and public scrutiny.

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Refinery Praise Meets Pollution Pushback

Where things stand: Brugger recognized Martinez Refining Company (MRC) for "having raised an incredible $281,000 this year." She also noted MRC's 24 years in the MRC MEF Run for Education and its 20-plus refinery volunteers. The Martinez Education Foundation (MEF) was honored too. Founded in 1982, it has raised $4.2 million, awarded $3.4 million in grants, and committed $100,000 to an Alhambra High wellness center. The Alhambra High PTA president reported more than $15,000 in grants funded with MRC support.

The other side: Lazzaretti listed MRC incidents near schools:

• Coke dust releases in 2022 and 2023
• A February 2025 fire he said cost an estimated $13,000 in average daily attendance (ADA) revenue, the attendance-based funding schools receive
• A February 2026 $10 million settlement citing 163 violations

"Good governance and good politics demands not only acknowledgment of financial contributions but accountability for conduct that imperils the health and safety of school children and staff," he said.

Oliveira said "it was hard for me to listen to the accolades that you were giving the Martinez Refinery earlier" and suggested the refinery should leave the city.

During board reports, Masella-O'Brien agreed. "I also feel like maybe it's a little out of touch or just bad timing considering all the other stuff that's going on in the community about the health concerns," she said. She noted that a congressman held a town hall on refinery safety at a district school without board members' knowledge. She said she would seek better communication.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No action was taken. The exchange shows the district relies on refinery dollars for student programs while families near the plant raise health concerns.

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Bargaining Begins Under Budget Pressure

Where things stand: The board approved three opening proposals, each on a voice vote with no tally announced:

• A joint district–Martinez Education Association (MEA) proposal for a teacher contract
• California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 99's proposal for the third year of its contract, 2026-27
• The district's opening proposal to CSEA

"This is for the full 3-year successor agreement for the period of July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2029," Ayotte said of the MEA proposal.

Why it matters: Earlier, an MEA representative urged the board to support Proposition 3. The representative said it would keep existing higher income tax rates on top earners beyond 2031 and called it not a new tax. "If Prop 3 fails, our district stands to lose more than $700,000 in funding," the representative said. The union warned that would force harder choices on staffing, student support and programs.

The other side: Lazzaretti urged quick, collaborative talks grounded in the budget the district has. "So let's not have a food fight this year," he said.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Teachers and classified staff now enter talks that will set pay and working conditions as facilities costs and state revenue both tighten.

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Minor Items

• Wellness intake specialist job approved: The position was negotiated with CSEA and will be MEF-funded to staff the new Alhambra High wellness center.
• Nick Hawkins appointed to the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee: Cannon said his was the first application in four years.
• Adult Ed apprenticeship pay raised: Teachers' pay now matches the negotiated rate for the Heat and Frost Insulators Local 16 program.
• English learner testing: Staff reported Initial ELPAC results for 42 students so far: 48% initially fluent, 31% intermediate and 9% novice.
• Student traffic safety: Martin reported on a city liaison meeting on e-bike rules and the C Street–Alhambra Avenue intersection, where "there are plans in place to make that a safer crosswalk."

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Looking Ahead

Brugger asked Ayotte to report at a future meeting on trades union partnerships supporting career technical education (CTE) programs. MEA and CSEA invited trustees to a fall event on Oct. 22.