SARAMARK Co-Hosting Sun Valley Elementary School Ribbon Cutting

San Rafael School Re-Opens with Saramark's First Two-Story Building

San Rafael, California, Sept. 25, 2003 - Saramark, Inc., a San Jose-based provider of pre-engineered and permanently constructed school buildings, today co-hosted the VIP Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Sept. 25 at Sun Valley Elementary School in San Rafael, with school Principal Linda Reed. San Rafael's Mayor Al Boro, school district officials, teachers, 390 children and dozens of their parents will participate in the luncheon ceremony and facilities tour.

The school and district are celebrating the re-opening of the school after it closed for remodeling some 18 months ago. Saramark is celebrating the August completion of its first two-story building. The 13 classrooms, restrooms and janitorial supply room doubled capacity for classrooms in an area of the school campus that once housed six dilapidated portable structures and is in keeping with the company's approach to meeting customer requirements through innovative design, engineering and construction methods. The two-story building was completed on time and on budget, valued at approximately $2.7 million..

The Saramark two-story building saved the school district about 20-30 percent of the cost for a comparable wood framed structure, or at least $300,000. In addition approximately 4 -6 months of construction time was eliminated. Perhaps most importantly, the two-story preserved playground and grass area at the elementary school. If the school district had built all single-story buildings, some 9,000 square feet of playground would have been consumed by buildings.

Alton Construction re-furbished most of the existing classrooms and administrative rooms on the 40 + year-old school. Quattrocchi Kwok Architects were the architects and Turner Construction managed the project. The San Rafael City School District and Saramark Ribbon Cutting from 11:15 to 11:45 AM included a tour of facilities and light lunch.

Saramark is currently constructing classrooms and administrative buildings at a half dozen California school districts, including 40 classrooms, 3 restroom buildings and one library for Manteca Unified in the San Joaquin Valley, Hilmar Middle School in Hilmar, which consists of classrooms, administration building and an 8,000 square-foot gymnasium and just beginning Canyon Oaks Elementary School in Napa County's American Canyon. The pre-engineered school builder recently completed six duplex classrooms for Pleasant Grove Middle School in Rescue, which is near El Dorado Hills of Sacramento. Saramark's school facilities save the respective school districts 30 percent of the comparable cost for wood-framed buildings.

The Saramark classrooms and multipurpose facilities use galvanized steel framing materials and are built on concrete, slab-on-grade floors. A pitched, standing-seam metal roof enables the structures to have vaulted interior ceilings and additional windows that enhance the learning environment. Saramark manufactures the classroom components at its Lathrop plant in the Central Valley and permanently installs the wall panels and roof trusses on-site.

Classroom Features

Each design calls for craftsman-style architectural details and may include custom colored metal roofs, broad overhangs and warm colors so the exteriors blend in with the surrounding residential area. Schools can choose between wood and stucco siding. Interiors are spacious with vaulted ceilings that maximize natural light. The fast yet permanent installation is a compelling reason for more California school district officials to consider Saramark classrooms for facilities upgrades and expansions.

"More and more school districts, architects and construction management firms are programming our school facilities into their construction plans as they have become familiar with our designs, engineering methods and construction quality," said Saramark President Mark Collishaw.

The company has completed more than 500,000 square feet of school facilities in Northern California. Saramark has supplied classroom facilities for school districts in San Jose, San Mateo, Tracy, Pacific Grove, Stockton, Sacramento and Santa Clara, among other cities.

Each design calls for craftsman-style architectural details and may include custom colored metal roofs, broad overhangs and warm colors so the exteriors blend in with the surrounding residential area. Schools can choose between wood or stucco siding. Interiors are spacious with vaulted ceilings that maximize natural light. The fast yet permanent installation is a compelling reason for more California school district officials to consider Saramark classrooms for facilities upgrades and expansions.

The buildings come complete with standard pre-installed communications conduit in the walls. The conduit enables computers and other technological devices to be connected with minimal effort. Outlets can also be installed in additional locations if the classroom is intended for a computer center or science lab.

About Saramark
Saramark, Inc. is the premiere manufacturer of permanently installed classroom facilities for K­12 schools throughout California. Saramark buildings can be expanded as required and are DSA pre-approved for immediate construction. The buildings are assembled with steel components, which alleviate termite, dry rot and mold concerns. Classrooms, multipurpose buildings, science labs and restrooms carry a 10-year express warranty and have an estimated life cycle of 40 or more years. Architects and school officials prefer Saramark¹s innovative building solutions for their quality, fast construction and the enhanced learning environment that is created in every Saramark school. For more information call 1-888-884-2100.

Saramark, Inc
P.O. Box 24369
San Jose, CA 95154

Phone: (408) 971-3881
Fax: (408) 971-3534
Toll Free: (888) 884-2100
Email: info@saramark.com