Hogan Auditorium Undergoes Major Renovation with Measure S Funds

Vallejo school district completes $1.16 million in savings across multiple construction projects

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:39pm

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The Hogan Middle School auditorium in Vallejo, California has undergone a major renovation project funded through the $194 million Measure S school facilities bond approved by voters in 2018. The modernization effort included new seating, upgraded restrooms, ADA accommodations, acoustic panels, and a refreshed stage, allowing the space to host a wider range of student performances and community events. The project was completed under budget, contributing to $1.16 million in overall savings across the district's construction efforts.

Why it matters

The Hogan auditorium renovation is part of a broader initiative by the Vallejo City Unified School District to upgrade facilities and create more inviting learning environments for students across the district using Measure S bond funds. The project highlights the district's commitment to stretching taxpayer dollars while delivering quality improvements to aging infrastructure.

The details

The Hogan auditorium modernization project gutted and remodeled the space from the ground up, including new seating, restrooms, ADA accommodations, acoustic panels, and a refreshed stage. The work was completed in approximately one year and five months, faster than the typical two-summer timeline for such projects. By working closely with contractors and finding cost-saving strategies, the district was able to complete the Hogan project as well as six other major construction efforts across eight campuses under their original guaranteed maximum price, resulting in $1.16 million in overall savings.

  • Measure S, a $194 million facilities bond, was approved by Vallejo voters in 2018.
  • Districtwide upgrades funded by Measure S began in 2020.
  • The Hogan auditorium renovation took approximately one year and five months to complete.

The players

Vallejo City Unified School District

The public school district serving the city of Vallejo, California, which approved the $194 million Measure S bond in 2018 to fund capital improvements across its schools.

Valezka Emes

The district's Director of Facilities and Bond Program, who oversaw the Hogan auditorium renovation and other Measure S-funded projects.

Keith Brown

The Vice Principal of Hogan Middle School, who discussed the renovations to the school's auditorium.

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What they’re saying

“As the only middle school, we wanted to go ahead and give it a new look. We gutted out the whole thing, remodeling it from the ground up.”

— Valezka Emes, Director of Facilities and Bond Program, Vallejo City Unified School District

“It's encouraging when students start using the space and when the community comes over. Now a lot of people want to use space — they feel proud to say 'That's my school' … it changes the dynamic.”

— Valezka Emes, Director of Facilities and Bond Program, Vallejo City Unified School District

“When you create this relationship with your contractors, when you treat them with love and respect, they go above and beyond for you. They always try to find strategies where we can save money as a district because they do know that this is budget money, right? That is taxpayers' money.”

— Valezka Emes, Director of Facilities and Bond Program, Vallejo City Unified School District

What’s next

Additional projects funded through Measure S are already underway, including athletic field improvements at Jessie Bethel High School beginning in June, as well as modernization projects at Dan Mini Elementary School and Cooper Elementary School.

The takeaway

The Hogan auditorium renovation demonstrates the Vallejo City Unified School District's commitment to upgrading aging facilities and creating more inviting learning environments for students using voter-approved bond funds. By working closely with contractors and finding cost-saving strategies, the district has been able to stretch taxpayer dollars and deliver quality improvements across multiple campuses.