Transforming LivesPast Present and Future

By: Patti Landolt

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

Patricia Landolt

Photo Description:

The unveiling of the new plaque by Dr. Gary S. Thomas, County Superintendent, along with present and former employees of the center. From left: Gary Ovitt, County Supervisor; Sue Ovitt, Chaffey Joint Union High School District board member; Kathy Kinley, retiree; Neil Edralinda, DLE Construction; Chad Holgate, Hour Glass & Mirror, Inc.; Steve Morse, CalK12 Construction; Gary Thomas, County Superintendent; Greg Holgate, Hour Glass & Mirror, Inc.; Kathy Oswalt, Gary Miller Architects; Mark Sumpter, County Board Vice President; Laura Abernathy Mancha, County Board President; Margaret Hill, San Bernardino City Unified board member and retired SBCSS assistant superintendent; Hardy Brown II, County Board member; Norm Nunez, SB County Sheriff's office.
Transforming lives-past, present and future was the theme for the recent Rededication of the Roy C. Hill Education Center in San Bernardino. The welcome and introductions were made by Gary S. Thomas, Ed.D., County Superintendent followed by Laura A. Mancha, President of the SB County Board of Education leading everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Supervisor Thomas returned to the podium to thank everyone that took part in the renovation process. “It was a team effort that was put into this to make this renovation possible," he shared, acknowledging the design team, Gary Miller and Kathy Oswald from Miller Architecture along with the contract team, construction crew and relocation team. Special thanks were made to Burgess Moving; Cal K-12 Construction Mgr.; Continental Flooring; DLE Construction; Everlast Builders, Inc.; Hour Glass; Mike Cox Electric; Miller Architecture and Office Supervisor Thomas shared a little history of the Roy C. Hill Center. It opened in November of 1986 and was named for the longest tenured superintendent in the 161 years history of the SB County School's office at 601 N. East St. Roy C. Hill was superintendent from 1959-1981. Naming the building after Superintendent Hill gave permanence to the office prior to moving five times in a 28-year period. Supervisor Thomas shared that during Hill's tenure, the county population nearly doubled from half a million to over 900,000. When Hill retired in 1981 he had founded a high school along with adult education, vocational and occupational training programs. A new plague was unveiled for the renovation. It will be housed inside the building with a time capsule placed behind it. Christine McGrew, Chief Comm. Officer, made a special presentation. “I am a huge history buff so I am delighted that Dr. Thomas gave me this opportunity to lead this activity for you. This is the third time capsule for the Roy C. Hill dedication building. The first time capsule was in 1986 when the building was built, the second one when we celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the County Office of Education in 2003." McGrew's contribution to the time capsule was a previous logo, a cut out of a little blue person. Dennis Mobley, Public Information Officer, added a Directory of Public Schools for SB Schools 2013-2014. Several other contributions were made to the time capsule. In closing, Dr. Thomas thanked all who made the renovation possible. He thanked visiting dignitaries along with both present and former employees. The renovation took place over a sixteen month period. It is a 51,000-square-foot facility housing 150 employees. The facility is now energy efficient, with new windows, no more leaks in the ceiling, and up to date restrooms.