San Bernardino City Unified has been busy working on an ambitious list of school construction projects that will bring much-needed facility improvements to numerous campuses across the District, including a new state-of-the-art transportation and advanced technology center at Pacific High School and a new cutting-edge career technology education facility at Indian Springs High School, where students who are interested in manufacturing can get a jump start on their career.
As SBCUSD looks ahead, 2023 will bring more major building renovations and the start of construction on a new welcome center for District families. It’s all part of a $250 million construction campaign that includes new facades for several schools in San Bernardino and Highland. Work has already been completed on several projects, including the installation of solar panels on school parking lots, play areas that are shaded for the comfort of students and staff, the modernization of several campuses, like King Middle School and Bonnie Oehl, Cole, Del Rosa, and Warm Springs Elementary Schools.
Built in 1858, Warm Springs Elementary recently underwent a large renovation that cost $6.2 million and was funded by the state and the voter-approved Measure N. Warm Springs' historic multi-use room was reimagined into a space with open ceilings, new finishes, and better student flow. Additionally, the school's administration building has been modernized to create a single point of entry onto campus for visitors to make it safer for the school’s 560 students. And, bright new interior and exterior finishes have given Warm Springs a new look that now matches the innovative work happening inside classrooms, said Principal Dr. Houn Hib.
“Warm Springs Elementary has always been a gem,” said Hib. “Now the outside shines as bright as the inside. We’re all beaming around here.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held for the updated Warm Springs Elementary campus on Friday, January 13 at 9:30 a.m. at the school, 7497 Sterling Avenue in San Bernardino.
While some renovation projects give aging campuses a new look, the construction of the brand new $12.4 million cutting-edge Pacific High School Transportation and Advanced Technology Center is the first of its kind in any high school in California. On February 9, the District will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility, an innovative diesel technology training building that will give students access to state-of-the-art equipment and the opportunity to earn certification to work on commercial diesel trucks.
Many projects are smaller in scale and have a smaller price tag, like adding shade structures to campuses, including Del Vallejo Middle School and Hillside Elementary. Whether it be a brand new building or the modernization of a school, SBCUSD’s building boom will benefit our students and the entire community, said Sam Precie, the District’s Administrator of Facilities and Operations.
“The design innovation of all school buildings impacts the wellness of our students and staff. That’s why we have a constant pipeline of projects in play from site renovation and modernization to aesthetic improvements, installation of safety infrastructure, sustainability measures, and beyond,” Precie said. “We have many ongoing projects Districtwide to ensure our students have the best experience possible at school every day.”