Picture this: You're a high school student, and the final bell of the day has just rung. You leave your un-air-conditioned classroom and start heading toward swim practice, thinking about how great jumping into a pool would feel after being in sweltering rooms all day. Unfortunately, most of your swim practices are on dry land. Oh, and when you decide to to take a quick bathroom break on your way to practice, you use a porta potty because your school's restrooms aren't currently functioning.
As awful and ridiculous as this scenario sounds, this has been the reality for the students of San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay high schools. Thankfully, a massive, five-year construction plan called Measure D is in the process of fixing this.
"This summer we did a surge of work," said Anthony Palazzo, San Luis Coastal Unified School District director of facilities, operations, and transportation. "Now the students are going to see the changes."
It all began in 2014. Measure D, a $177 million bond measure, was proposed by SLCUSD and passed with 72 percent approval. However, it was not until two years later that any construction started happening.
"From the get-go, we got the community involvedstaff, students, parentsand said, 'Hey, what do we want to do?'" said Ryan Pinkerton, SLCUSD assistant superintendent of business services. "That alone took about eight months. Then we hired architects to design it all, and that can take nine months to a year ... . The hardest part is that it takes a long time."
Though every step of the plan took a while, Pinkerton said that the longest was the approval process. In order to become reality, Measure D had to be approved not only by local voters, but also by the DSA (Division of the State Architect), which takes about a year. Now that all the planning and preparation is out of the way, however, progress has become more visible.
Both high schools are getting new gyms, tennis courts, all-weather tracks, and, of course, pools. Construction for the gyms began in late July, which was ahead of schedule for SLO High since work on their gym was originally planned for winter 2018.
"Our budgeting has been spot-on for the first round [of projects]," Palazzo said. "And I'm not just blowing smoke ... . There have been hiccups, not fatal errors."
One of these "hiccups" came during the underground digging where Morro Bay High's old, filled-in pool once stood. Palazzo said that they found "a few surprises, so to speak," mainly in the form of pipes being different lengths, going in different directions, and being in different locations than expected. That stage of the project was successfully completed, though, and the current goal is to have the pool filled sometime in August.
"We're hoping we'll be swimming by early fall," Palazzo said.
These recreation-based projects are significant because they will benefit not only the schools but the community as well. According to both Palazzo and Pinkerton, SLCUSD will allow those facilities to be open to the public so that the cities can use them for programs such as swimming lessons or exercise classes.
There were rumors about this not being the case, specifically with the Morro Bay High tennis courts, after one Morro Bay resident wrote a letter to New Times saying that he was not able to access them during hours they were supposed to be open to the public.
"The tennis courts were inadvertently locked by a substitute custodian," Palazzo said. "We wrote a rebuttal and investigated it. ... [The custodian] didn't know better."
Pinkerton wrote the rebuttal, explaining the mistake and urging anyone confused about school or district policies to contact the school or district for clarification.
As for the more academic-oriented projects, several classrooms are being renovated on both campuses, including a robotics lab for SLO High that should be finished just in time for the new school year.
"We'll probably be pushing furniture in the night before school starts," Palazzo said.
According to Pinkerton, two model classrooms were set up in SLO High prior to construction to gauge student feedback.
"We had things like flat screens, white boards, all around the room," he said. "We figured we should test it out before spending all that money on 200 classrooms."
It's not just high school students who benefit, either. Pinkerton said the focus has been on the high schools since a different project, Measure A, had already been passed to improve the elementary and middle schools. But they are "trying to touch every campus in some way." This includes the installation of new phone systems, new fire alarms, and LED lights.
"They're huge energy savers, and they come on instantly," Pinkerton said in regards to the lights. "It used to take 15 to 20 minutes for the lights to warm up."
All of the construction projects are expected to be finished by summer 2021. For a complete timeline of projects or other information about Measure D, check out sanluiscoastalmeasured.org.
"I love turning it over to the teachers and students, seeing the smiles on their faces," Palazzo said. "That's always been my favorite. ... It sounds hokey, but it's true. I always say the best days are the day we start and the day we finish. In between, it's usually a nightmare."
Reach contributer Katrina Borges through the editor at clanham@newtimesslo.com.
Go here to see the original:
Fix in progress - New Times San Luis Obispo - New Times SLO
- Progress Lighting - Home [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2016]
- Home - Progress Lighting Outlet - Authorized Progress Dealer [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- What does progress mean? - Definitions.net [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- Progress Fire Company Harrisburg, PA [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- Homepage Center for American Progress [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- Progress being made on possible grocery store co-op in Winston-Salem - myfox8.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Nioh Review-in-Progress: FromSoftware's Formula Evolved - Shacknews [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Deutsche Bundesbank Cites Progress With Blockchain-Based Settlement - CryptoCoinsNews [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- IMF: Greece's debts are still unsustainable despite progress - The Seattle Times [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Think Progress Editor Mocks Audi for Equal Pay Super Bowl Ad - Breitbart News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Progress apparent on defense - Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- IMF: Greece's Debts are Still Unsustainable, Despite Progress - Voice of America [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Can US disrupter-in-chief trigger some progress? - Jerusalem Post Israel News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- The Cost of Progress - Slate Magazine [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Cavaliers' pitching rotation a work in progress | Cavalier Insider ... - The Daily Progress [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- High schoolers create 'zines for progress' with WolfsonianFIU - FIU News [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Cries of 'dictator' show Pope Francis is making progress - Crux: Covering all things Catholic [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Officials: City is making progress in effort to address opioid crisis - The Union Leader [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- IN OUR VIEW: Work Ready in Progress for Carter - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- BP's Earnings Keep Showing Progress, Even if the Headline Results Don't Say So - Motley Fool [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Women's Progress in the Boardroom Took a Hit in 2016 - Inc.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Blight Elimination Progress, Uplifting - MyWabashValley [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Rauner 'heartened' by progress in Springfield - Bloomington Pantagraph [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- David Johnson showed off the insane progress he's making in rehab from his knee injury - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Through the looking glass: Tower view showcases progress on Amazon's unique biospheres - GeekWire [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Britney Spears Says Niece Maddie Is 'Making Progress' After ATV Accident: 'Let's All Keep Praying' - PEOPLE.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Progress on vet's Mustang to be unveiled - Indianapolis Star [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Evgeni Malkin making 'progress,' could return Saturday in Arizona - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Forecasters See Slow Progress in Labor-Market Measures Favored by Trump Administration - Wall Street Journal [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- 'Paper boys' were the lifeblood of The Daily Progress - The Daily Progress [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Cliffs Natural Resources Is Showing a Lot of Progress on Its Return to Profitability - Motley Fool [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- ATA says states' telemedicine progress a mixed bag ... - FierceHealthcare [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Seltzer's Notebook | Colangelo Encouraged by Sixers' Progress - Sixers.com [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- The Trump administration can't entirely roll back progress on climate change here's why - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Colts position review: OL showed legit progress, but work remains - Indianapolis Star [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Egyptian Economy Making Slow, Tentative Progress - Voice of America [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- ATA: States show mixed progress with telemedicine | Healthcare Dive - Healthcare Dive [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Louisville City notes: McCabe making progress - The Courier-Journal [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Jeremy Lin: Progress but no timetable - NetsDaily [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Marginal progress for Turkish-backed forces in north Syria - LA Daily News [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Jimmy Cheek: UT chancellor appreciative of hard work, progress on journey - Knoxville News Sentinel [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Syria Regional Crisis 2016 Emergency Appeal - Progress Report - Reliefweb [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- CWLP officials: Bailout repayment would set back progress - The State Journal-Register [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Pistons' Johnson making halting but definite progress - The Detroit News [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Clairton works: Real progress is coming to the former steel town - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- The Democrats' Strategy: Hindering Progress For Partisan Politics - Daily Caller [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- The surprising progress stoppers on the Dallas Cowboys defensive line - Cowboys Wire [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Gender Progress in Ballet - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Foyt pleased with progress, regrets lack of time - Motorsport.com, Edition: Global [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Progress Made, but Threat Lingers at California's Oroville Dam - Wall Street Journal [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Adele, Beyonc, and the Grammys' Fear of Progress - The Atlantic [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- North Korea Claims Progress on Long-Range Goal With Missile Test - New York Times [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- How Travel Bans Can Impede America's Progress - Forbes - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Jeff Sessions' appointment threatens decades of civil rights progress - The Hill (blog) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Ionis Earns $75M Milestone from Bayer for Progress of Antisense Drug Program - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (press release) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Guilford Schools annual report shows mixed results on progress - Greensboro News & Record (blog) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Sniper Elite 4 review in progress - PC Gamer [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- For Honor Review In Progress - GameSpot [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- China's military progress challenges Western dominance, says IISS - Deutsche Welle [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- PFW in Progress Recap 2/14: Patriots Offseason Outlook | New ... - Patriots.com [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Daily Progress, chamber establish regional business Hall of Fame - The Daily Progress [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Huntsville-based Progress Bank to acquire Birmingham's First Partners Bank - Birmingham Business Journal [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- City, UF sign partnership for progress - Gainesville Sun [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- California officials lift evacuation order for 200000 threatened by damaged dam - CBS News [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- 5G progress at Ericsson could help enterprises work worldwide - Computerworld [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Officials making 'great progress' on California dam repairs, remind residents to stay vigilant - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Halo Wars 2 Review in Progress - IGN [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- CUGNON: Forward progress - Yale Daily News (blog) [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- F-35 Program Makes Significant, Solid Progress, Official Says - Department of Defense [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Lenovo's data center ambitions remain work in progress following Q3 results - ZDNet [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- PFW in Progress Recap 2/16: Free Agency and Potential Patriots - Patriots.com [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- S&P 500: 'Blow-off' Phase in Progress - DailyFX [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Combine invites are another sign of progress at Michigan - Big Ten ... - ESPN (blog) [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Halo Wars 2 review in progress - PC Gamer [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- 'Hero' film produced just for Charlottesville featured the mayor, The Daily Progress - The Daily Progress [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Republicans' health care overhaul still a work in progress - Press Herald [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Trump Boasts Of 'Incredible Progress' In 4 Weeks Of Presidency - NPR [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Donald Trump touts promise progress at press conference - PolitiFact [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Mild winter helping crews make significant progress on East End Connector - WRAL.com [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Committee updates Legislature on precinct consolidation progress - Chicago Tribune [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]