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Building Connections Episode 7: School Construction Funding & DSA Compliance with Fred Diamond, Citrus Community College 

January 12, 2026

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Rob sits down with Fred Diamond, Director of Facilities and Construction at Citrus Community College District, for an insider's look at how California's schools get built—and why the process matters for public safety.

With 32 years in educational facilities and oversight of a $300 million bond program, Fred shares the real story behind school construction funding, DSA compliance, and what makes projects succeed.

Key Topics Covered

School Construction Funding 101

  • How general obligation bonds work and why nearly 100% of school projects depend on them
  • The connection between local bonds and state matching funds (Fred's district secured $47 million in state funding)
  • Why Proposition 2 matters for California's educational infrastructure

Working with DSA (Division of the State Architect)

  • The 1933 Long Beach earthquake that started it all
  • Why no student has died from building failure since DSA's creation
  • How the certification process protects taxpayers and students

Project Delivery Methods

  • Design-bid-build vs. progressive design-build vs. lease-leaseback
  • Why Fred's projects maintain under 3% change orders (industry standard is 5%+)
  • The importance of team continuity—no bait and switch

What Makes Projects Succeed The critical role of owner involvement and why owners can't be absent from their own projects.

Why This Matters

Whether you're an architect, contractor, engineer, or district facilities professional, understanding how educational facilities get funded and built is essential. Fred's insights reveal how collaboration between owners, consultants, and regulatory agencies creates safe learning environments for California students.

Watch the full conversation to learn from three decades of educational construction experience.

Connect with Citrus College

https://www.citruscollege.edu/Pages/home.aspx

https://www.instagram.com/citrus.college/

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Youtube

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