Measure M–funded facility to offer smaller, flexible learning environment in Rancho Cordova; Purchase saves taxpayers $60M versus building a new campus
RANCHO CORDOVA—The Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD) is moving forward with plans to bring a long-discussed high school option to Rancho Cordova. At its meeting Thursday night, the FCUSD Board of Education voted to approve the purchase of a large office building at 3215 Prospect Park Drive that will be converted into a new, smaller-scale high school facility with a focus on career pathways and flexible learning models.
The property—a 102,000-square-foot office building situated near the Stone Creek neighborhood south of Highway 50—will be repurposed into a modern educational facility serving approximately 500 students. District officials said the school is expected to open in 2027 or 2028, pending renovations and approvals.
The move follows recommendations from the School Facilities Improvement District (SFID) #3 Advisory Committee, which urged the district to establish a high school serving the southwest area of Rancho Cordova. The committee emphasized that the new school should be designed for flexible and innovative programs that balance academic rigor with career preparation, while also ensuring equity for residents whose tax dollars funded previous Measure M bond disbursements.
District staff reviewed potential sites and identified the Prospect Park property as the best option for adaptive reuse. In August, the committee toured the site and voiced strong support for the concept. Days later, the board passed Resolution No. 08-14-25-10 authorizing the use of Measure M bond proceeds to acquire and convert the building. Thursday night’s vote finalized the purchase and sale agreement and authorized staff to move forward with due diligence and planning.
When complete, the school will provide a comprehensive mix of programs that includes A-G and advanced placement courses to support college readiness, an Early College program through partnerships with higher education institutions, independent study pathways for flexible learning options, and Career Technical Education opportunities through a one-stop career pathway model. During the due diligence period, the district will conduct a full facility feasibility study, cost analysis, and program design plan before submitting final designs to the Division of the State Architect.
The total estimated cost of the project is $76.3 million, funded primarily through Measure M bond dollars, with additional support from state reimbursement funds and development fees. The costs include approximately $5.8 million for site development, $62.5 million for building renovations, and $7.9 million for the property purchase.
The district noted that these totals do not include a possible gymnasium or multipurpose building addition. A Phase 1 environmental study conducted in August found no additional assessments were required, clearing the way for redevelopment to begin once approvals are complete. The purchase agreement allows 120 days for the district to complete due diligence, with the option of two 30-day extensions.
FCUSD Board President Dave Reid called Thursday’s action a milestone achievement. In a message to the community, he described the project as both fiscally responsible and visionary for Rancho Cordova.
“Progress! FCUSD is taking the next steps in opening a small high school with new dynamic CTE offerings,” Reid wrote. “For less than the price FCUSD paid to purchase the land that Alder Creek Elementary School was built on, we will be purchasing a 102,000-square-foot building. This innovative approach will cost approximately half of what it would have if we had purchased a vacant lot and built the same facility from the ground up, potentially saving FCUSD taxpayers upwards of $60 million.”
Reid emphasized that while the new school will be open to all district students, priority enrollment will first go to families living in the SFID #3 tax zone, since their bond contributions are directly funding the project. Beyond cost savings, he said the project’s greatest impact may be its ability to serve students who want a smaller, more personalized learning environment. “It recognizes that while FCUSD’s large comprehensive high schools with thousands of students are great, they are not for everyone,” he said.
With the property secured, FCUSD officials will now begin the process of preparing architectural designs, determining program offerings, and engaging with the community to shape the vision of the new campus. “This was a long-shot goal for me, and I am proud to see it becoming reality,” Reid said, crediting his fellow board members, Superintendent Erik Swanson, district staff, and the SFID #3 Advisory Committee for supporting the initiative.
“Our goal is to be the number one school district in the state. We are on our way,” Reid added.
Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
