Dublin Unified School District's growing student population will be accommodated by several major projects and proposals that were recently approved by the Dublin school board, including the final site plan concept for the city's future new high school.

The updated design concept presented by Fresno-based architect firm SIM-PBK was unanimously signed off at the June 25 Board of Trustees meeting, in addition to two more major infrastructure projects -- a new Dublin High School engineering and science building, and remodeling and modernization work at Murray Elementary School.

"These projects will have a significant impact on the district's ability to provide a world-class education to future Dublin high school students and address the issues of a growing student base," DUSD officials said in a statement.

The new high school campus planned to be built starting next year on a 25-acre parcel near the corner of Grafton Street and Finnian Way, between Central Parkway and Dublin Boulevard in east Dublin, is the district's biggest and most costly enterprise, with a price tag of approximately $268.8 million. The district is still on track to purchase the land for the school by fall for $29 million using the eminent domain process.

The first phase of construction is an estimated $166.6 million and will use $135 million from Measure H revenue; the rest will be paid by a mix of sources such as developer fees and an expected $28 million state reimbursement that's due from the construction of J.M. Amador Elementary School.

Funding for the $102.2 million needed for the second phase of building would require a future bond, DUSD officials said.

Using public feedback from previous workshops, designers shared a vision for a campus that could hold up to 2,500 students in what would be the district's second comprehensive high school.

Three primary towers will mark the campus: one structure with a two-story library, lecture hall, food court, student union and administrative and counseling offices, and a pair of three-story buildings containing chemistry, science and engineering labs, electronic arts rooms, space for special education, and 49 total standard classrooms.

One tri-level tower and the two-story building will be built during the first half of construction, as well as the gym, track, football field, tennis courts, locker rooms and several more athletic facilities, plus the visual and performing arts classrooms. During the first phase, the school will have capacity for about 1,300 students.

The other 1,200 students will join the campus after the third tower with 27 classrooms and seven science and four engineering labs, and the aquatic complex, performing arts theater and stadium bleachers are all completed. Construction is slated to start in spring 2020 and the new campus is expected to open in fall 2022. For more information and updates about the new high school, visit http://bit.ly/DUSD-Future-HS-Updates.

Dublin's existing high school will also finally break ground soon on the new engineering and science building. Trustees unanimously awarded a construction contract for Petaluma-based Midstate Construction Corp. The planned three-story, 47,000-square-foot structure at Dublin High will include flexible science labs, engineering classrooms, a weight room, maintenance room, support and infrastructure and multi-use space.

"Although it's taken longer than expected, I'm so happy we are finally moving forward with the engineering and science building our community so graciously funded," Board President Amy Miller said. "We are on the road to having two comprehensive high schools in Dublin that will be the envy of the Tri-Valley, while providing our students with the exceptional educational opportunities they deserve."

The project's $31.5 million budget will be funded with $30.5 million from Measure E and $1 million from Measure C.

"This is being done without the use of any Measure H funds," Superintendent Dave Marken said. "In the long run, once this building is complete and the future high school is open, portables will be removed from Dublin High School and we'll see optimal utilization of the campus for the first time in years."

Building is starting this summer and should be done in time for the 2020-21 school year.

Expecting to see "significant growth in the coming years," the 53-year-old Murray Elementary School is also getting an overhaul to meet future demand.

The board awarded American Modular Systems, Inc. of Manteca with the new classroom contract during the first phase of new construction and improvements. Phase I includes two new wings, with 12 classrooms added to the campus by the time that the 2020-21 school year begins.

The final phases of the project haven't been awarded yet but second phase plans include a new library, multi-purpose room and administrative offices, and demolishing some older structures. Work is scheduled to finish in about three years and is entirely funded by Measure H.

The board also wrapped up a purchase agreement for property directly adjacent to the district's headquarters site on Larkdale Avenue. The approximately 30,000-square-foot parcel, owned by Easterseals Bay Area, was purchased below market value for $900,000.

DUSD said it expects that "acquisition of this property will help the district address its growth needs at its office."