SCUSD’s return to class marked with dozens of campus projects
Thousands of Sacramento City Unified students returned to class this week during a busy time, as dozens of development projects are underground at about 60 of the school district’s campuses. Hiram Johnson High School, which has about 1,800 students, is in the works for a new field for the football and soccer stadium. Included are bleachers, snack bars, bathrooms, a press box and lights. “Without these investments, the last time we did that homecoming right before COVID, we had diesel generators running our lights and that’s also not healthy for our students or for anybody else,” said Jorge Aguilar, SCUSD superintendent, referring to the way they tried working around the use of the area without the appropriate resources.Funding is coming from Measure H, a $750 million General Obligation school facilities bond passed in 2020, which would guarantee funding for repairs and upgrades at Sac City Unified’s schools.”We’re seeing everything from stadiums being built – like here at Hiram Johnson – baseball fields. Luther Burbank has had its original pool since it opened. Really, just marks and artifacts the big inequities that have occurred in Sac City Unified,” Aguilar said.The main focus of these dozens of projects, Aguilar said, is on addressing equity. At Hiram Johnson, these renovations also mean keeping students in class or at practice. Garret Kirkland, Hiram Johnson principal, said the renovations for the field are imperative because the soccer team before the renovations would have to end practice before it gets dark. The campus also had some renovations at some of its science labs.Other upgrades to extracurriculars at Hiram Johnson include a new baseball field, renovations at the softball field, and a new facility.District officials said other projects include upgrades to aging facilities. “Equity cuts across every single aspect of our organization and is finally starting to be seen in the world of facilities,” Aguilar said. Yet, there is more work that needs to be done, according to Aguilar, who explained that more than $2 billion worth of needs are required for SCUSD. Measure H costs property owners 5 cents per $100,000 in assessed value per year.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Thousands of Sacramento City Unified students returned to class this week during a busy time, as dozens of development projects are underground at about 60 of the school district’s campuses.
Hiram Johnson High School, which has about 1,800 students, is in the works for a new field for the football and soccer stadium. Included are bleachers, snack bars, bathrooms, a press box and lights.
“Without these investments, the last time we did that homecoming right before COVID, we had diesel generators running our lights and that’s also not healthy for our students or for anybody else,” said Jorge Aguilar, SCUSD superintendent, referring to the way they Tried working around the use of the area without the appropriate resources.
Funding is coming from Measure H, a $750 million General Obligation school facilities bond passed in 2020, which would guarantee funding for repairs and upgrades at Sac City Unified’s schools.
“We’re seeing everything from stadiums being built – like here at Hiram Johnson – baseball fields. Luther Burbank has had its original pool since it opened. Really, just marks and artifacts the big inequities that have occurred in Sac City Unified,” Aguilar said.
The main focus of these dozens of projects, Aguilar said, is on addressing inequity.
At Hiram Johnson, these renovations also mean keeping students in class or at practice.
Garret Kirkland, Hiram Johnson principal, said the renovations for the field are imperative because the soccer team before the renovations would have to end practice before it gets dark.
The campus also had some renovations at some of its science labs.
Other upgrades to extracurriculars at Hiram Johnson include a new baseball field, renovations at the softball field, and a new facility.
District officials said other projects include upgrades to aging facilities.
“Equity cuts across every single aspect of our organization and is finally starting to be seen in the world of facilities,” Aguilar said.
Yet, there is more work that needs to be done, according to Aguilar, who explained that more than $2 billion worth of needs are required for SCUSD.
Measure H costs property owners 5 cents per $100,000 in assessed value per year.