- Repairing and modernizing aging classrooms and schools
- Bringing existing structures up to safety and access codes
- Expanding educational opportunities to students
- Enhancing health and safety of school sites
Modernizing Classroom Technology
In addition, the District has over 85 projects currently in progress. Completing these and continuing to make other critical upgrades will help avoid costly repairs and replacements of infrastructure and equipment down the road. Additionally, upgrades to classroom and instructional technology allow for individualized learning so students can gain the knowledge needed to prepare for the state mandated Core Curriculum while developing the technological skills required for success in college and tomorrow’s careers.
Improving Student and School Safety
- Safety lock installations to help prevent intruders at all elementary schools
- Middle and high schools installations will happen in the spring and summer 2014
- Upgrades to old, unsafe playground structures
- Installation of a new well at Renaissance High School that now provides safer drinking water
- Replacement of deteriorated, unsafe visitor bleachers at Aptos High School
- Installation of new water tank at Aptos High school, which provides water for fire suppression
- Installation of video security surveillance systems at Aptos Junior High.
- Replacement of aged carpeting at several Aptos schools
Upgrading Classroom and Instructional Technology
To ensure that funds from the Measure L were used in the most effective way the District established a committee called Instructional Technology Advisory Committee (iTAC). This group of individuals was established to look at ways both inside and outside of the District that funds can be used to further educational achievement through technology. ITAC has completed its evaluation of instructional technology needed in PVUSD classrooms to enhance student learning. The District is now acting on those recommendations. In addition, due to funding sources from the Federal government Aptos schools often lagged behind Watsonville area schools in terms of technology. Measure L money is being utilized to bring equity across the District.
The following technology projects recommended by ITAC have been completed to ensure classrooms are equipped with the infrastructure to support 21st-century technology:
- A new IT system and network have been installed at Bradley Elementary School
- New Chromebooks are being delivered to schools to aid with individualized learning for students
- Aging computer labs at schools sites that were furthest behind have been upgraded
- Data ports have been added to provide students greater access to the local school network
- Teachers at Mar Vista have been awarded the 2013-2014 Measure L Bond Innovation Grant which provides their students with a class set of Chromebooks for use both at school and at home
- Rio Del Mar, Valencia, Bradley and Aptos Junior High will each receive 36 new computers
- Aptos High School will receive 72 new computers
Improving Energy Efficiency to Save Money for Classroom Instruction
The District has completed the first phase of the solar installation projects at Bradley High School and Hall District Elementary School. Four other school sites are expected to begin the installation process in the summer and fall of this year. They include Aptos High School, Pajaro Valley High, Rolling Hills Middle School, and Watsonville High.
Installing solar panels is one approach the District is using to improve the energy efficiency of schools and facilities, which will allow the District to cut costs and place the savings back into the classroom.
Completing Pajaro Valley High School
A major goal of Measure L was the completion of PV High School. Students do not have sufficient athletic facilities to practice and host home games. Plans have been drafted for three major projects at the school:
- Build an athletic complex in the upper nine acres of the school with a synthetic track, turf, and bleachers
- Build a state-of-the-art to student auditorium for visual and performing arts
- Install solar car ports in the upper parking areas to lower energy costs
The school lies within the “coastal zone” and is nearby to environmentally sensitive habitat. Under state law, the district must have a Coastal Development Permit in place prior to proceeding with construction. Unfortunately, this process is rather complex and painstakingly slow. Nevertheless, I and my colleagues on the school board are pressing hard to move the process as quick as we can within the law. The students and families that attend PV High deserve a high school that can offer them a full range of experiences and learning. They have waited far too long for these things.
Measure L Citizens’ Oversight Committee
The District has established an independent citizens’ oversight committee that meets quarterly to oversee bond expenditures and projects. This committee is compromised of 12 members that represent various sectors of the community–business, seniors, taxpayers and parents.
Currently, there are two vacant seats on the committee. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Brett McFadden at brett_mcfadden@pvusd.net. To review reports from the committee please visit www.pvusd.net and select the Measure L Bond Citizens Oversight Committee Information link on the right.
Upcoming Projects
The District is beginning the second part of Phase 1 projects, which include the modernization of educational facilities at Calabasas, Freedom and Radcliff elementary schools and Rolling Hills, Lakeview and Cesar Chavez middle schools. Continue to visit www.pvusd.net, for further updates on Measure L projects.
Tell Me What You Think
As a Trustee I welcome your comments and questions as we continue to utilize the money from Measure L to improve our local schools. I can be reached at 831-254-4562.
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Jeff Ursino is an elected member of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees. He was elected in 2010 and serves portions of Aptos, Rio Del Mar and La Selva Beach.