Plaintiffs Dismiss Their Appeal Regarding Long-Standing CEQA Challenge to Monterey High School's Stadium Improvement Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2024
Contact: Marci McFadden, Chief of Communications & Engagement
831-706-6971
Plaintiffs in the CEQA Suit Challenging Monterey High School's Stadium Improvement Project Have Dismissed their Appeal of the Trial Court’s Ruling the in District’s Favor
Monterey, CA – In the latest of a series of events favorable to the Monterey High School Stadium Improvement Project, on March 6, 2024, at the plaintiffs’ request, the Court of Appeal dismissed plaintiffs’ appeal of the judgment issued by Judge Thomas Wills of the Monterey County Superior Court in the district’s favor in Preserving the Peace v. Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.
With this development, the propriety of the district’s Environmental Impact Report for the Stadium Improvement Project is no longer subject to further challenge.
Following a prior ruling by the Court finding that MPUSD was in full compliance with CEQA, the MPUSD Board of Education adopted an addendum to the prior Environmental Impact Report addressing the addition of an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant path and revision of drainage plans on January 9, 2023. At that meeting, the Board of Education also approved the litigation-delayed stadium project, and gave the green light for staff to go out to public bid on the project. More recently, the trial court denied in full a request by plaintiffs for over $400,000 in fees and costs.
The project will construct necessary improvements to the Dan Albert Stadium at Monterey High School and additional athletic facilities on campus, including:
- Converting an existing dirt field adjacent to the Dan Albert Stadium that is used for overflow parking into a softball/multi-use field
- A 1,920 square foot strength and conditioning center
- Improvements to the track and field event area
- Four new, permanent field lights at Dan Albert Stadium
- Renovation of the stadium to be compliant with the ADA
- Replacement of the temporary press box
- New public address system
- Installation of separate visitor bleachers on the opposite side of the stadium
“This latest development takes us one step closer to reaching the goal of our Board of Education and the community regarding the stadium project, including the addition of stadium lights which will increase student safety and permit limited nighttime athletic events at Monterey High School,” said Principal Tom Newton.
MPUSD Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh added that, “the district is very pleased that its commitment to the stadium project has been validated through the district’s litigation successes. Dismissal of the appeal means one less distraction from completing the stadium project and ensures the district’s ability to focus on the project’s benefits to district students and the community.”
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About Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is home to approximately 9,400 students in grades transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. The district also houses preschool and adult education. The district is built on a solid foundation of effective instruction, positive school culture, systems of support, and collaborative leadership. The district is nestled along the Monterey Bay, and stretches from the city of Marina to the north to the city of Monterey to the south, and encompasses the communities of Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Sand City and Seaside.