Relocation of District Office


FInancial Stewardship Through Responsible Facilities Planning

The Davis Joint Unified School District regularly evaluates its facilities to ensure they continue to support students, staff, and the broader community. As part of this work, the District has spent several years reviewing options for the future use of the 526 B Street property, also known as the Susan B. Anthony building. This property currently houses the District’s central office, the Davis School for Independent Study and the Yolo Solano Center for Teacher Credentialing.

After careful analysis, the Board of Education determined that the 526 B Street site no longer meets the District’s long-term operational needs. This decision reflects the District’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, long term planning and best use of public resources.

Why the District is Selling 526 B Street

Constructed in 1949 and originally designed as a school facility, 526 B Street is now the oldest facility in the District. Due to aging infrastructure and ongoing maintenance challenges, it is estimated to require $5-7 million (from restricted facilities funds) in repairs within the next five years just to remain operational. This does not include significant additional investments that would be needed to modernize the facility for long-term use over the next 30+ years.

After evaluating these long-term costs, the DJUSD Board of Education determined that investing those same resources in a newer, more efficient facility designed for administrative use is the more sustainable and fiscally responsible option.

A Property that Can Better Serve the Needs of Davis

While the existing building has its limitations for District use, the 2.2-acre 526 B Street site is well-suited for higher-density housing.

Over the past several years, to prepare for a potential sale, DJUSD completed all required public processes, including:
  • Declared the property surplus
  • Obtained a waiver from the California State Board of Education
  • Worked with the City of Davis to rezone the site for housing development.
These steps position the District to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the public sale of the property.

Redeveloping the site helps address important community housing needs while allowing the District to responsibly reinvest the property’s value into facilities that better support students and staff.

Relocating the District Office

As part of this strategy, DJUSD plans to sell the 526 B Street property and purchase office space of roughly equivalent value at 1850 Research Park, a building constructed in 1998.

The financial question before the District was straightforward:
The sale of 526 B street is projected to produce revenue greater than or equal to the cost of purchasing 1850 Research Park in its current condition. Therefore, should the District invest $5-7 million (in restricted facilities funds) in an aging, nearly 80 year old, facility that requires ongoing upgrades to remain operational or invest those same dollars in a newer building with long-term viability?

The Board concluded that purchasing a newer facility provides better long-term value than investing millions of dollars on short-term repairs to an aging facility.

In short, this approach allows the District to:
  • Limit long-term operating costs
  • Improve energy efficiency
  • Reduce future maintenance liabilities

Long-Term Planning for Davis School for Independent Study

The District is also planning for a stable, long-term home for the Davis School for Independent Study (DSIS).

If District enrollment continues to decline as projected and results in a school site becoming available, DSIS would relocate its K–12 program to that campus. If District enrollment trends stabilize or a closure is not needed, and no existing campus space becomes available, the District would construct a dedicated facility for DSIS.

This planning ensures flexibility while maintaining long-term commitment to the program.

Why a Closed School Site Was Not Selected for the District Office

The Board has made no decision to close a DJUSD campus. It is also important to note that retrofitting a school campus for administrative use would be significantly more expensive than improving 1850 Research Park property and would limit the District’s ability to return the site to educational use if enrollment increases in the future.

Commitment to Fiscal Responsibility

The decision to sell 526 B Street and purchase an existing commercial office space reflects the Board’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, flexibility, and long-term planning.

The District recognizes that the timing of this multi-year project may raise questions, particularly in the context of declining enrollment and collective bargaining. However, the decision to relocate and reinvest in a newer facility is based on sound economics and responsible long-term fiscal and facilities management.