Facility Planning
Planning for the Future of Local Neighborhood Schools
Nevada City School District (NCSD) provides high-quality education programs to TK/Kindergarten – 8th grade students at Deer Creek Elementary School and Seven Hills Middle School. Dedicated teachers and staff are committed to providing an environment where all students learn and achieve to the best of their abilities; and encouraging them to become lifelong learners. Strong schools that nurture successful students improve the quality of life in our community and protect the property value of local homes.
Aging Schools Require Repairs and Upgrades
We are proud of the excellent academic performance of our neighborhood schools, but the quality and condition of our facilities have not kept pace. Deer Creek Elementary School and Seven Hills Middle School are nearly 50 years old and require repairs and upgrades to ensure student safety and quality academic instruction.
While school maintenance staff do their best to keep schools functioning, safe and clean, our schools were built to safety and educational standards from a different era. Essential repairs and upgrades are now needed.
Over the past year, NCSD worked with parents, teachers, staff, and NCSD Board Trustees, and community members to complete an updated comprehensive Facilities Master Plan to determine priority repairs and improvements for our local schools.
Next Steps for Our School
On February 10th, the Nevada City School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place a $26 million school improvement bond measure on the June 2026 ballot for the repair and upgrading of our local elementary and middle schools. The measure is projected to cost taxpayers approximately $30 per $100,000 in assessed (not market) property value while bonds are outstanding. If approved by local voters, a measure would:
- Repair or replace leaky roofs, deteriorating water pipes, and other outdated infrastructure
- Update classrooms and technology, including hands-on science and early job training classrooms
- Increase school fire safety and improve school security systems
- Reconfigure drop-off/pick-up areas to improve student safety
- Improve accessibility for students with disabilities
- Install solar panels, and provide backup battery power and generators
Mandatory Fiscal Accountability
Funding from a local bond measure would require strict fiscal protections, including:
- All funds must be used to repair and improve Nevada City School District classrooms and facilities
- No funds can be taken away by the State or used for other purposes, including administrators’ salaries or pensions
- A detailed project list showing how funds would be used
- An independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee and annual audits
Your Input is Welcome
As NCSD works to improve our schools for the future, we welcome your input. To share your opinions and priorities or to ask questions, please contact Superintendent John Baggett at [email protected].
Additional Resources:
Board Approved Facilities Master Plan