Don’t look now but Visalia Unified is still growing! The good news is that Measure E will help us keep up with growth and will provide many improvements to our current schools. If you see work crews or clouds of dust around some of our schools, you will know that your tax dollars are at work.
Work is expected to begin this summer on the new two-story classroom building at Redwood High School and the new middle school—thanks to Measure E!
The 17,300-square-foot, 16-classroom academic wing at Redwood High School, designed by Robert Thornton of Teter AE, Visalia, will be located at the northeast corner of the campus and is expected to open in August 2015. The general contractor is Seals/Biehle, Inc., of Visalia. The building is estimated to cost over $7 million.
However, if the statewide education bond passes in November 2014, VUSD will be reimbursed nearly $4 million, which can be used to fund additional projects.
The new middle school will be built at the northwest corner of Riggin and Akers. The architect is SIM Architects of Fresno; the builder is Oral E. Micham, Inc., of Woodlake. The campus, slated to open in 2016, will cost an estimated $35 million; but if the state bond passes in November, VUSD would be reimbursed over $19 million.
Measure E provides funding for new construction and also supports numerous “modernization” projects.
A variety of these smaller projects will be under way this summer. Mineral King, Linwood, Elbow Creek, Goshen, Mountain View and Hurley Elementary schools, as well as La Joya Middle School and the Visalia Adult School, will receive new fencing to create one access point and provide enhanced pedestrian safety.
New playgrounds will be constructed at Elbow Creek, Golden Oak, Ivanhoe, Mountain View and Houston Elementary schools to improve safety and provide better access for disabled students.
Stay informed:
The Measure E Citizens’ Bond Oversight Advisory Committee meets regularly and all meetings are open to the public. Minutes and the summary report provided to committee members are posted at www.vusdeprogress.org. For details or to be added to the meeting reminder list, contact Shellie Knight at [email protected] or 730-7529.
Questions may also be directed to Robert Groeber, assistant superintendent – administrative services, at [email protected] or 730-7529; or Craig Wheaton, superintendent, at [email protected] or 730-7522.
Craig Wheaton, Ed.D., is superintendent of the Visalia Unified School District.