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Major projects are underway at both South Pasadena High School and the local middle school as students returned to campuses this week following winter break.
South Pasadena High School
Construction at South Pasadena High will feature four science labs, six classrooms, restrooms and a locker room for the softball team.
Bulldozers started clearing the area, including a pair of tennis courts, last fall and, according to South Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Geoff Yantz, the project will be completed by November.
“It’s roughly a year of construction,” said Yantz, noting, occupancy for instruction will take place the second semester or early January 2019.
Construction is being funded from Measure SP, the local $98 million bond measure passed by South Pasadena voters in November 2016.
Through an energy-efficiency grant, unrelated to Measure SP, Yantz said the second phase of converting interior lights to LED will include the administration building and classrooms at South Pasadena High. The first phase of the project included converting all the exterior lights on campus, plus the gymnasium, to LED.
“It’s going really, really well,” Yantz said. “They have been working after school and on weekends to get it done.”
The project is “good for the environment,” noted the superintendent. “It will also conserve energy, which saves money. It’s a much improved environment in the classroom and the offices because the lights are much better.”
South Pasadena Middle School
The South Pasadena Middle School Hard Court Project is underway, calling for a new field, basketball and tennis courts, along with expansion of an existing grass area.
“We will also improve the accessibility to the fields,” explained Yantz, “and install new fencing.”
He said the project would take about six months to complete, as long as the weather cooperates. “We’re confident the construction crew will bring it in on time,” he said, noting it will change the landscape for the athletic facilities at the middle school. “For the school itself, for the athletic program, for after-school sports, and for the community to be able to utilize it, including AYSO, it’s going to be great. We’re excited.”
As a result of construction, Yantz said physical education classes at the school will take place in the gymnasium. “The P.E. department is the biggest impact, so they will have to make some adjustments for the improvements,” said Yantz. “It’s a temporary impact. They know what they’re doing and will continue to offer high quality physical education programs with the resources they have.”
The project is also funded from Measure SP.
Bond funds were also used for a new roof and air conditioning upgrades at Marengo Elementary School last summer.
