Michelle & Barack Obama Center for Inquiry & Exploration – Modernization Project

2026030927

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District

NOE - Notice of Exemption

3/23/2026

3/23/2026

Carey Upton

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District

Chief Operations Officer

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project

2828 4th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405

(310) 450-8338

cupton@smmusd.org

Lincoln Boulevard / Ocean Park Avenue

90405

3.84

30

California

E-Line

Santa Monica Airport

Obama Center, Ocean Park Neighborhood School

Santa Monica Bay

Santa

721 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Categorical Exemption

Class 01, 02, 14, CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS TITLE 14, Sections 15301, 15302, 15314

This project includes modernization and reconstruction of an existing school and would not increase student population or add new classrooms. Section 15301 - Existing Facilities Class 1 consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use. The Project will result in the modernization of the Obama Center that will allow three distinct programs to operate on one campus including: Olympic HS, SELPA and Preschool. The proposed Project includes renovations of both the campus interior and exterior. Implementation of these improvements will not generate new student population growth or require the addition or construction of new facilities. Therefore, the Project fulfills the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15301. Section 1502 - Replacement or Reconstruction Class 2 consists of replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced, including but not limited to: (a) Replacement or reconstruction of existing schools and hospitals to provide earthquake resistant structures which do not increase capacity more than 50 percent; (b) Replacement of a commercial structure with a new structure of substantially the same size, purpose, and capacity; (c) Replacement or reconstruction of existing utility systems and/or facilities involving negligible or no expansion of capacity; (d) Conversion of overhead electric utility distribution system facilities to underground including connection to existing overhead electric utility distribution lines where the surface is restored to the condition existing prior to the undergrounding. The Project will result in the modernization and upgrades at the Obama Center campus, including the conversion of standard classrooms into preschool sized classrooms, and developing separate office space within an existing building. The Project will also provide enhanced outdoor learning opportunities, ADA improvements, and landscaping improvements The Project will not result in an increase or alteration of the current use, function, or capacity of the existing campus. Therefore. the Project fulfills the requirements of CEQA Guidelines Section 15302. Section 1514 - Minor Additions to School Class 14 consists of minor additions to existing schools within existing school grounds where the addition does not increase original student capacity by more than 25 percent or ten classrooms, whichever is less. The Project aims to provide for better separation of these three learning areas, while providing a modern, safe, and sustainable learning environment for students and staff while enhancing the overall campus infrastructure. These improvements will create a clear separation of the preschool area from the rest of the programs located at the Obama Center campus. Additional site improvements will include ADA upgrades underground utilities, new play structure in the preschool yard, new shade structure, removal of existing portable, landscape and minor canopy structural upgrades. These improvements will address unmet campus needs and provide students with a safe and healthy learning environment. The proposed project will not alter or expand the existing school use, increase student capacity or the number of classrooms, and will only result in minor improvements to the existing campus. No off-campus improvements will occur. Therefore, the project is exempt from CEQA under Section 15314.