Five Elementary School Sites Improvement Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026060372
Public Agency
Panama-Buena Vista Union School District
Document Title
Five Elementary School Sites Improvement Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/9/2026
Document Description
The Panama - Buena Vista Union School District (P-BVUSD) proposes improvements to five existing school sites. Improvements at all schools are intended to accommodate the existing student and staff populations and would not appreciably increase the student population or the capacity of the schools. The improvements are intended to modernize school infrastructure to increase safety, more effectively utilize district property and improve the educational services provided. The Project proposes to undertake the following improvements:
1. Wayne Van Horn Elementary School
Proposed improvements at Wayne Von Horn Elementary School include:
a. Placement of a 36 feet x 40 feet (1,440 square feet [sf]) relocatable portable Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) building
b. Relocation of seven existing relocatable portable classrooms
c. Relocation of an existing 12 feet x 40 feet (480 sf) relocatable portable restroom building
d. Construction of two new 30 feet x 30 feet (900 sf) shade structures for existing playground equipment
e. Reconstruction of existing pedestrian improvements, such as concrete walkways
Improvements are anticipated to be developed entirely within the existing campus.
2. Laurelglen Elementary School
A new relocatable portable ELOP building, restroom and expanded parking lot are proposed on the northeast side of the campus. Existing buildings and trees may need to be removed for the proposed construction. If construction takes place during nesting season (February 1 to September 15), pre-construction clearance surveys for nesting birds will be conducted within 14 days prior to the start of construction.
3. Bill Williams Elementary School
The Project proposes expanding the existing staff and visitor parking lot located on the eastern boundary of the campus. The expansion will include the addition of a 55-foot turn radius at the end of the parking lot and associated pedestrian improvements. Four existing trees will be removed to accommodate the expanded parking lot and turning radius. In the event that construction takes place during nesting season (February 1 to September 15), then a pre-construction clearance surveys for nesting birds will be conducted within 14 days prior to the start of construction.
4. Castle Elementary School
Improvements include the development of a new parking lot for staff and visitors. The parking lot will be located on the northwest boundary of an existing stormwater retention basin owned by the City of Bakersfield, located directly southwest of the school campus. The parking lot will include up to 92 parking spaces, with one ADA compliant space, and two access points from Edgemont Drive. Existing landscaping may need to be removed or relocated.
5. Stockdale Elementary School
Improvements include the following:
a. Installation of artificial grass turf to replace natural grass
b. Removal of sprinkler system
c. Concrete walkways
d. Planter landscaping
e. Interactive edible garden
f. Chain link fence and gate
g. Relocatable portable Restroom building
h. Installation of a 30 feet by 40 feet (1,200 sf) fabric shade structure
i. Removal of existing basketball courts and repaved with new asphalt.
j. Removal of existing playground structure would be replaced with a new playground structure.
k. Accessible passenger drop-off from Kroll Way
l. Relocatable portable Administration building
m. Existing ELOP portable to be removed and replaced with new like building.
If construction takes place during nesting season (February 1 to September 15), then a pre-construction clearance surveys for nesting birds will be conducted within14 days prior to the start of construction.
Contact Information
Name
Paul Johnson
Agency Name
Panama-Buena Vista Union School District
Job Title
Construction and Facilities Director
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Bakersfield
Counties
Kern
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Kleinpell Ave, El Portal Dr, Harris Rd, Wilson Rd, Kroll Way
Zip
93313
Parcel #
331-032-43, 381-010-12,499-011-07,355-020-18, 339-010-30
State Highways
99, 58
Railways
SJVRR
Airports
NA
Schools
NA
Waterways
unnamed canal
Township
30S
Range
27E
Section
4
Base
MDB&M
Other Information
multiple sites in Bakersfield
1. Wayne Van Horn Elementary School, 5501 Kleinpell Avenue
2. Laurelglen Elementary School, 2601 El Portal Drive
3. Bill L. Williams Elementary School, 5601 Harris Road
4. Castle Elementary School at 5900 Wilson Road
5. Stockdale Elementary School, 7801 Kroll Way
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1-15301(c), (d), Class 2-15302(b)(c), Class 11- 15311(b) & Class 14- 15314
Reasons for Exemption
1. Wayne Van Horn Elementary School
The improvements are consistent with Exemption 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), as these are minor alterations of existing public structures, facilities and mechanical equipment that would result in negligible or no expansion of the existing use. The improvements are also consistent with Exemption 15314 (Class 14 - Minor Additions to Schools), as all improvements will be within existing school grounds where the addition does not increase original student capacity or number of classrooms, including portable classrooms. No new portable classrooms are being proposed.
2. Laurelglen Elementary School
The improvements are consistent with Exemption 15314 (Class 14 - Minor Additions to Schools), since minor additions are proposed within existing school grounds where the addition does not increase original student capacity by more than 25% or ten classrooms.
3. Bill Williams Elementary School
Improvements are consistent with Exemption 15301 (c) and (d) (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), as the improvements seek to perform minor alterations to an existing school parking lot to improve public safety by expanding the existing turning radius to 55 feet. This increased turning radius will allow for emergency personnel to turn around effectively in an emergency, thereby improving public safety. The additional parking spaces will create negligible or no expansion o f the existing use. No additional automobile lanes would be created through this Project. Improvements are also consistent with Exemption 15311 (Class 11 - Accessory Structures), as the Project proposes to construct an addition to a small parking lot that is accessory to an institutional facility. The Project is also consistent with Exemption 15214 (Class 14 - Minor Additions to Schools) since this is an addition that does not increase original capacity by more than 25% or ten classrooms, whichever is less.
4. Castle Elementary School
Improvements are consistent with Exemption 15311 (Class 11 - Accessory Structures), as the Project proposes to construct an addition to a small parking lot that is accessory to an institutional facility.
5. Stockdale Elementary School
Improvements are consistent with Exemption 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities) as the Project proposes to improve existing pedestrian walkways, replacement of existing asphalt and landscaping, and construct a new ADA compliant drop off, without adding additional automobile lanes.
Improvements are also consistent with Exemption 15302 (Class 2 - Replacement or
Reconstruction) as the Project proposes to remove and replace existing playground equipment. Improvements are consistent with Exemption 15314 (Class 14 - Minor Additions to Schools), as the construction of a new buildings and facilities will be within existing school grounds and does not increase original student capacity by more than 25% or ten classrooms, including portable classrooms.
CONCLUSION
The Project will construct minor upgrades and additions to the existing schools. The Project will not expand the student and faculty population at the school sites but will improve educational experience and provide additional amenities to each school. New walkways will improve accessibility and increase vehicle and pedestrian safety. As
discussed, t he improvements a t these existing schools would not result in a significant environmental impact and are consistent with the provisions of Class 1, 2, 11 and Class 14 Categorical Exemptions as per Section 21084 of the Public Resources Code
County Clerk
Kern
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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