Groundbreaking at Tahoe Valley Elementary marks Measure U’s first phase

by | Jun 17, 2026 | Uncategorized

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – On Monday morning, the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) gathered at Tahoe Valley Elementary for a groundbreaking of its campus modernization effort. The project, funded through Measure U, is anticipated to finish in summer of 2027 and is just one of the several projects that will see classroom updates and infrastructure improvements in the district.

Measure U, which passed with a 61% approval in the 2024 election, authorized the district to release $127 million in bonds to fund classroom updates, asbestos removal and safety improvements. The measure also came with an increased property tax levy to help fund these projects.

Tahoe Valley Elementary will be having some substantial changes, including the construction of a new classroom to replaced the portable classrooms that they are demolishing. The project is also improving the parking and drop-off corridors for traffic flow. According to Studio W Architects, the construction cost is roughly $17.5 million. The modernization will improve all classrooms, multi-purpose and administrative spaces.

Studio W Architects CEO Brian Whitmore said, “Overall, the improvements are meant to strengthen the educational environments while promoting comprehensive safety and security campus-wide for years to come.”

LTUSD chief financial officer Kelly Buttery said, “This will drastically change the look of Tahoe Valley.” The project will also involve the creation of a new covered area and welcoming hub for students and guardians, new playgrounds and updated hard courts.

The board of trustees were excited for the project’s progress, which has moved fairly swiftly since the approval of Measure U.

Public information officer Teresa Schow said that the district began reaching out as soon as the measure was approved, as moving quickly can ensure securing of the best contacts. “Getting this far this quickly is impressive,” Schow said.

The projects at the middle school have also begun, and starting these projects while school is still in session is a part of their strategy to get the construction done by the projected date of next year’s summer.

Mayor gives keys to the city to community college figures

by | Jun 17, 2026 | Uncategorized

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – During the Tuesday evening city council meeting, Mayor Cody Bass handed out more keys to the city, this time to former President of Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) Jeff DeFranco and founder Roberta Mason.

Bass said that he was honored to present the keys to the two of them. “Both of them have been such leaders in our community and brought higher education.” As he presented the key to Mason, he said she had done “so much work for this community for decades, on decades, on decades.”

Mason acknowledged the other founders of the community college. “We are very lucky to have it here in our community. Nothing in Tahoe is easy, everything takes time,” she said. Mason also gave her blessing for the public safety training complex, which was a process that took several years.

In honoring DeFranco, Bass said he had done so much for the town and the college. “It’s sad to see you go, but happy for your future.”

DeFranco thanked the city council for the “extreme honor” and the 14 years he’d served the college. “It’s rare to promote and stay in your community.” DeFranco recently stepped down from the presidency position to take a position at Arizona State University, which he announced in March.

However, DeFranco said that he would still be living in the south shore and intended to still give back where he could. “This key doesn’t have to be an end… just halftime, if we will.”

DeFranco also referenced his grandfather, who served as mayor of Metro, Ohio, who told him that one of the best uses of his time was to serve the community. DeFranco showed the key to the city that his grandfather gave him, saying that this moment was full circle.