Successfully Delivering New and Renovated Schools at Berkeley School District

Four School Projects Bring Best-in-Class Learning Environments to 1,700 Students

For teachers and students, back-to-school season is a busy time. Early morning bus rides, the excitement of being back in the classroom, and afternoons full of extracurricular activities and parent-teacher conferences. Evenings spent readjusting to the demands of homework and grading papers, but always a renewed sense of why teaching and learning is near and dear to us all.

As the sounds of teaching and learning ring out at Berkeley School District 87, Jeremy Roling and his team can finally take the time to see firsthand what their hard work brings to this community.

As project executive for Gilbane, Jeremy and his team recently put the finishing touches on a $105 million, new construction and renovation project that reimagined education for four schools in the district.

“It was a heavy lift getting the projects to the finish line but watching the excitement on the faces of students and staff as they started school in their new spaces makes everything worth it,” he said. “They’re ecstatic.”

The start of a new school semester concludes more than three years of hard work and community engagement. Gilbane partnered with the District, PMA, and Wold Architects to help pass a $105 million referendum in Spring 2020 by attending and presenting at dozens of community engagement meetings to outline the budget, schedule, and phasing to ensure student safety remained the top priority. Ultimately, the communities passed the referendum to support the project, ensuring that every intermediate and middle school student can access a dynamic and safe 21st-century learning environment.

“It has been a pleasure to work with the Gilbane team. As the superintendent of District 87, I was able to participate in the weekly OACM (Owner, Architect, Construction Manager) meetings. This process has allowed me to experience firsthand how Gilbane lives out their purpose, ‘Building More than Buildings’,” said Dr. Daniel W. Sullivan, superintendent of schools at Berkeley School District 87. “We have had effective and collaborative meetings, and ongoing communication throughout the process, which included planning, demolition, construction, and significant renovations. Thanks to our partnership with Gilbane and the leadership of Mr. Roling, Mr. Anguiano, and the entire Gilbane team, our teachers, students, and community have the finest facilities to support learning for years to come.”

Those facilities now include state-of-the-art media centers, a brand-new gymnasium space, flexible seating like bean bags and wobble stools, and student-centered resources like STEM centers and even Lego learning spaces—the kinds of engaging offerings that Roling would have loved to have as a student.

He doesn’t overlook the behind-the-scenes updates that make a significant difference, either. He recalls his school years in buildings with very little natural light, trying to follow lessons on sweltering August days without air conditioning. Not so at Berkeley School District 87. New mechanical systems, central air, full fire protection, all-new lighting, and abundant natural light characterize the experience of nearly 1,700 students who will enjoy the spaces this year.

The students are spread across four schools, co-located in two joint buildings, across multiple communities. Sunnyside Intermediate and MacArthur Middle Schools—a new build clocking in at 162,000 SF—was completed in December 2022. Riley Intermediate School and Northlake Middle School were completed in August 2023, and included extensive renovations and a 15,000 SF addition. Much of the work there was conducted while the schools were still in session, making the project particularly focused on safety and minimizing disruption to school operations during construction. They had deadlines to meet balanced with unparalleled site safety, coordination with the district's calendar, and limited disruption to learning. 

As teachers and administrators returned in the lead-up to school opening, Roling loved the chance to show people around.

“For me, it’s exciting to accompany the Board of Education, administration, and faculty members on tours because you get a feel for what they like about the space, hear how they intend to use it, and understand how the improvements are going to enhance the learning environment years to come,” he said.

Across the two opening celebrations at Sunnyside and MacArthur and then Riley and Northlake, well over 1,000 community members came out to see what Gilbane and the team had accomplished. Those moments are what fuel the team’s excitement and unwavering commitment.

“The entire cafeteria was full, front to back. Kids were hanging out in the gym, playing basketball; parents were going on tours. That makes everything worth it.”