15 Sep Tariffs Expected to Make Pittsburg School Upgrades More Expensive

The Pittsburg school board on Wednesday spoke about the potential impact of Trump tariffs on approved improvement projects (Screenshot captured by Samantha Kennedy / The CC Pulse)

By Samantha Kennedy

Voters last November gave Pittsburg Unified the chance to upgrade schools through $140 million in bonds, but projects covered under the funding could increase in cost because of pending tariffs. 

District officials during a Wednesday school board meeting outlined $45 million in projects that began this year, thanks to the voter-approved Measure P last fall. Another $95 million in projects, ranging from 2027 to 2029, are proposed but not yet finalized.

“The projects that are slated in future years will definitely and more than likely increase in cost estimates,” said Sean Vandermey, director of district facilities. “Sure, we may have a certain amount budgeted, but those projects more than likely will increase.” 

The district says the Trump-era tariffs could “significantly impact” school construction across the state because of increased material costs, budget strains and project delays. Under pending tariffs, officials say a $20 million school project could see an 8.4% rise in costs. 

Since taking office for his second term in January, President Trump has imposed a number of tariffs on goods entering the country. That includes a 50% tariff on steel products and a universal 10% tariff on goods. 

The tariffs on imported materials like steel are projected to increase construction costs by 6% or more, according to the district. 

Pittsburg school board members approved eight of the initial projects, some of which are districtwide, in May. The bulk of that — $15.5 million — is going to replace portable classrooms at Highlands Elementary School. Other significant projects include the running track at Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High School and battery energy systems at various sites. 

Future projects need to prioritize athletics, coaches say 

Future big-ticket projects could include a $12 million update or complete renovation of Pittsburg High School’s athletic conditioning center, a $10.5 million portable classroom replacement at Willow Cove Elementary School, and additional maintenance to various athletic fields. 

Three leaders in athletics across the districts spoke for the need for better athletic facility conditions. 

Alyssa Stewart, coach of the girls wrestling team, said athletic facilities in the district needed to be updated to better serve students. 

“This is the perfect opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art athletic training facility, with multiple facilities for all sports to be accommodated equally,” said Stewart. “The current facilities are not big enough for all of our teams to participate.”

LaTasha Jones, cheer director for Pittsburg High, said they “have the best district,” but that there was “always room for improvement.”

“My storage right now is a handicap bathroom, and it is full to the brim. Over the summer, it became rat-infested,” said Jones. 

Charlie Ramirez, head coach of Pittsburg High’s football team, asked for the athletic conditioning center to be slated among the projects for 2025. Ramirez cited the heat of the facility throughout the summer and parts of the fall. 

Board member De’Shawn Woolridge acknowledged the coaches’ concerns but said that, due to scarce resources, not everyone would get what they want. 

He suggested “maybe going through what is nice and would be great to have versus what is a necessity for us to take care of.”

Because the 2025 projects had already been started, board vice president Taylor Sims said that other projects would have to wait until at least 2027. 

Board Member Destiny Briscoe and Sims proposed that they create an ad-hoc committee on athletics across the district, which would allow coaches to express their concerns.