Monroe Elementary School Reconstruction Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026010516
Public Agency
Santa Ana Unified School District
Document Title
Monroe Elementary School Reconstruction Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/16/2026
Document Description
The Santa Ana Unified School District proposes to partially demolish and reconstruct the Monroe ES campus. The proposed project will partially demolish and reconstruct the Monroe ES campus. The proposed project would demolish 13,905 square feet of the existing main building and reconfigure and modernize the remaining 27,800 square feet of interior space. The modernized building will include a lobby/welcome center; administrative offices/spaces; wellness/parent center; counselor, speech, and psych offices; teacher spaces; library; kitchen; lunch shelter; multipurpose room; four classrooms; restrooms; and storage rooms. The modernized building will also include an open ceiling with a taller roof in the center of the existing building. The proposed project would also construct a new 2-story classroom building (35,310 square feet) with 20 classrooms north of the main building. The two-story classroom building would include breakout rooms, staff workroom, de-escalation rooms, restrooms, and accessory spaces (e.g. storage and machine room). The buildings will include space for core academic classrooms, library/idea center, arts and creative learning spaces, physical education and recreation areas, food service and dining facilities, administrative offices, a health suite, and building support areas.
The proposed project will also address core infrastructure needs, such as adding storage, IDF/electrical rooms, riser rooms, and custodial spaces. The proposed project would result in a net decrease of five total classrooms (29 existing classrooms reduced to 24 classrooms). Compared to current functional classrooms, the proposed project would result in a net decrease of one total classroom (25 functioning classrooms reduced to 24 classrooms). The proposed project would have an enrollment capacity of 577 students (a reduction of 48 seats compared to existing conditions).
The proposed project will construct a new one-way vehicle drive aisle and fire lane that would run along the western side of the campus and would span the length of the project site. Vehicles would enter via an existing driveway on Center Avenue on the south end of the project site and exit on Warner Avenue on the north end of the project site. As part of this improvement, a new driveway would be constructed to connect to Warner Avenue. A new parent and bus drop-off area will also be provided on the northern part of this drive aisle. This design will reduce vehicle congestion and improve student safety by separating vehicle types and minimizing walking distance for students. A landscape barrier will be installed between this drive aisle and the existing bike lane. This drive aisle would require the removal of one existing parking space. Existing driveways on Central Avenue, drive aisles, and internal circulation would remain.
The proposed project will also enhance and reconfigure outdoor spaces throughout the campus. A large multi-use playfield will be developed on the northern portion of the project site with striped areas for soccer and other field sports. New hardcourts striped for multiple sports would also be provided to the east of the new 2-story classroom building. West of the existing main building, a library outdoor area and dedicated kindergarten playground will be constructed. East of the existing main building, an outdoor track will be constructed around a landscaped play area. Site improvements will also include new bike parking, lighting along the adjacent bike lane, and landscape barriers to separate the bike path from vehicle lanes. Red curbs, sidewalks, and both new and existing crosswalks would be provided to improve circulation and safety. Trees and landscaping would be installed throughout the site to provide shade and visual relief.
The proposed project would benefit the Monroe ES students, teachers and staff and the broader SAUSD community by providing new, modern academic facilities and updating aging buildings and infrastructure onsite.
Contact Information
Name
Julie Molloy
Agency Name
Santa Ana Unified School District
Job Title
Facilities Senior Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Santa Ana
Counties
Orange
Regions
Citywide, Countywide
Cross Streets
Central Avenue and Halladay Street
Zip
92707
Total Acres
6.1
Parcel #
016-090-27
State Highways
SR-55
Railways
N/A
Airports
John Wayne Airport
Schools
Edison ES, Washington ES, Madison ES, Benjamin Franklin ES
Waterways
Santa Ana River
Township
5S
Range
9W
Section
00
Other Location Info
417 E Central Avenue
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 11, Class 14
Reasons for Exemption
Categorical Exemption Class 1, Existing Facilities (CEQA Guidelines §15301)
The proposed project includes modernization and reconfiguration of the existing building on the developed Monroe ES campus. Modernization efforts would include reconfiguration of interior spaces, which would include demolition of 13,905 square feet of the existing building; new walls, paint, fixtures, cabinets, and other administrative and education furnishings; installation of a higher roof and open ceiling concept; and a covered lunch shelter attached to the building. These modernization efforts would occur entirely within existing building footprint and maintain the same educational uses and purposes. The modernization of the existing building would reduce the existing building size and reduce the number of classrooms in this building from 25 existing classrooms to four classrooms. As such, modernization of the existing building includes repair, maintenance and minor alternations to existing public facility that does not expand its use.
Site work, including restriping of the existing student drop-off area, pavement repair, and accessibility upgrades are minor alteration of existing public facilities and would not alter the school’s operational use. As such, these components of the proposed project qualifies for exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.
Categorical Exemption Class 2, Replacement or Reconstruction (CEQA Guidelines §15302)
The proposed project includes modernization and reconfiguration of the existing building on the developed Monroe ES campus. Modernization efforts would include reconfiguration of interior spaces, which would include demolition of 13,905 square feet of the existing building; new walls, paint, fixtures, cabinets, and other administrative and education furnishings; installation of a higher roof and open ceiling concept; and a covered lunch shelter attached to the building. These modernization efforts would occur entirely within existing building footprint and maintain the same educational uses and purposes. The modernization of the existing building would reduce the existing building size and reduce the number of classrooms in this building from 25 existing classrooms to four classrooms. The proposed project will also construct a new 2-story classroom building (35,310 square feet) with 20 classrooms north of the main building. The two-story classroom building would include breakout rooms, staff workroom, de-escalation rooms, restrooms, and accessory spaces (e.g. storage and machine room). The modernized campus would have 24 classrooms, which is less than the existing number of classrooms onsite, and have substantially the same use and purpose as the existing campus buildings.
The proposed project will also reconstruct associated site facilities, including the playfields, hard courts, and on-site parking areas. The proposed project would also redesign and construct a parent drop-off lane and bus loading zone along the western side of the campus that would connect to Warner Avenue, providing improved safety and operational efficiency while maintaining the same number of access points on East Central Avenue.
Because the modernized building and facilities would remain on the existing Monroe ES campus, serve the same educational purpose and approximate capacity, and maintain site layout as existing conditions, these components of the proposed project are exempt from CEQA under Section 15302.
Categorical Exemption Class 3, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures (CEQA Guidelines §15303)
The proposed project includes construction of small ancillary facilities and project site improvements throughout the Monroe ES campus, including new playground equipment, shade structures, walkways, landscaping, bike parking, library outdoor area, and accessible paths of travel. These improvements will be located entirely within the existing developed campus and would serve to support existing educational operations. The proposed project would also redesign the existing parking lot and construct a parent drop-off lane and bus loading zone along the western side of the campus that would connect to Warner Avenue, providing improved safety and operational efficiency while maintaining the same number of access points on East Central Avenue.
These proposed features constitute minor new construction and accessory site improvements within a developed school property. Therefore, these components of the proposed project are exempt from CEQA under Section 15303.
Categorical Exemption Class 11, Accessory Structures (CEQA Guidelines §15311)
The proposed project will include the construction of a new one-way drive aisle/fire lane and new driveway on Warner Avenue that will have parent and bus drop-off lane along the western edge of the campus. The new drive aisle/fire lane will support the Monroe ES campus and will function as an accessory structure within the existing campus. Landscaping and walking paths throughout the campus will also be minor accessory structures to the Monroe ES campus. Therefore, the drive aisle/fire lane, landscaping and walking paths are exempt from CEQA under Section 15311.
Additionally, the proposed project will modernize on-site utilities, including electrical and irrigation systems, to meet current standards as replacement upgrades, maintaining the same function and capacity as existing infrastructure without creating expanded demand. These utility upgrades will not result in expanded use or increased demand. Therefore, these components of the proposed project will be exempt from CEQA under Section 15311.
Categorical Exemption Class 14, Minor Additions to Schools (CEQA Guidelines §15314)
The proposed project would reconstruct portions of the existing Monroe ES campus and construct a new two-story classroom building containing 20 classrooms, replacing the older classroom areas within the existing main building. The proposed project would result in a net decrease of five total classrooms (29 existing classrooms reduced to 24 classrooms). Compared to current functional classrooms, the proposed project would result in a net decrease of one total classroom (25 functioning classrooms reduced to 24 classrooms). The proposed project would have an enrollment capacity of 577 students (a reduction of 48 seats compared to existing conditions). Total enrollment capacity would decrease from 625 to 577 students, well below the Class 14 threshold of a 25 percent or ten-classroom increase.
Additional improvements such as the new hardcourts, playfields, outdoor learning spaces, and circulation enhancements including the new drive aisle and drop-off zones would occur entirely within the existing developed campus. These campus modifications are intended to improve accessibility, safety, and campus organization.
Because the proposed project would occur within existing school grounds, would not expand the campus boundary, and would result in a net decrease in classroom count and student capacity, it qualifies for exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15314.
County Clerk
Orange
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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