San Juan Launches $85 Million In School Upgrades

More than $85 million in school improvement projects are underway in the San Juan Unified School District in Carmichael during the summer break.

Major projects in the construction phase include: new classrooms at Winston Churchill Middle School; a science lab at Pasadena Avenue Elementary; and restroom renovations at several schools.

Projects in the design phase include a 350-seat music and performance center at Rio Americano High School which is well known for its jazz program.

Brett Mitchell with the district says the upgrades are needed to address both class-size reduction and the popularity of certain curriculum.

"We have schools that are growing such as Winston Churchill Middle School and Bella Vista High School," says Mitchell. "And others, like Rio Americano High School, are to highlight successful programs at those schools."

Mitchell says money for the projects is coming from two bonds approved by voters.

"In 2002 they gave us Measure J, which we're using the last of Measure J right now," says Mitchell. "But in 2012 they passed Measure N which was a $350 million bond and that is making the bulk of these projects possible now."

Among other projects in the design phase are converting Citrus Heights Elementary into the new Sylvan Middle School and a new science wing for Bella Vista High School.