Construction on new campuses for LAUSD schools damaged or destroyed by the Palisades Fire one year ago is expected to be complete by fall 2028, school officials said Tuesday.
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho made the announcement in a news conference at Marquez Charter Elementary School in Pacific Palisades, one of the schools affected by the January 2025 wildfire. Students have been attending classes at temporary classroom on the campus as rebuilding continues.
“Marquez Elementary is a project already approved by the Board (of Education), alongside two other projects for a total investment of $604 million — $202 million dedicated to this project right here at Marquez Elementary,” Carvalho said. “The rest for Palisades Elementary and a significant investment into Pali High as well.
“The board has not only approved the appropriation, the board has also approved, in a very expedited way, the architecture, the engineering work, as well as the construction cost for these three projects.”
Palisades Charter High School students have been attending classes since August at the former Sears building on Fourth Street in downtown Santa Monica, dubbed Pail South. Classes at the Pali Main campus are expected to resume Jan. 27 at temporary structures.
Students will begin the LAUSD’s second semester next Tuesday at Pali South, allowing additional time to complete environmental testing at the Main campus before students return there.
Students at Palisades Charter Elementary School have been attending classes at Brentwood Science Magnet school, pending rebuilding of the main
campus.
Carvalho noted that the rebuilding work at Marquez and Palisades elementary schools is expected to be completed by fall of 2028.
“Initially we promised the fall of 2028,” Carvalho said. “We will do our very best, not only for Marquez, but also for Pali Elementary, to reduce that timeline by taking advantage of all the flexibilities and support provided to us by the state of California, including Governor (Gavin) Newsom. They promised the red tape would be cut, and they are living up to that promise. And we’re going to take full advantage of the flexibilities provided to shorten the timeline of the rebuilding process.”
City News Service contributed to this report.
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