By: Paul Chon and Ginnie Lo
MHS will be gaining additional buildings as part of Bond Measure AA, Principal Francis Rojas said. Upgrades include a new performing arts center, band and music classrooms, a second gymnasium, student center, remodeled amphitheater, a drama classroom, and two additional science classrooms, he continued.
The bond money will also be used for a second high school with a special focus, Rojas said. The new high school will be an extension of MHS and will house about 400 people to alleviate students from the overcrowding [at MHS], he added.
“[The bond] was supported by the community at about 71%, which was way over the 66% threshold,” Rojas said. “I think [the remodelling] will make [MHS] the center of the community.”
The district has set 84 million out of 284 million dollars to go toward MHS, Rojas said. Originally, MHS was going to receive 120 million dollars, but the district decided to reduce the amount, Rojas said.
“For a very long time our athletics and physical education (PE) departments have said that we needed [a] second gym on this campus because we have many sports after school,” Rojas said. “The PE department’s voices were heard along with our music and theater programs that have also grown large.”
Goals incorporated into the planning of MHS’ modernization includes efficient lighting, net zero energy, green vehicle parking, renewable resources, heat island reduction, low flow water fixtures, drought tolerant landscape, indoor air quality, natural daylight, bottle fillers, outdoor views, acoustics, and a school garden, according to a presentation provided by LPA Architects, who will be working on the designs for MHS’ modernization.
“We want our school to be safe and secured, proud of our diversity, fun, colorful, lively, a fresh learning space, and to display our culture,” LPA Architects’ presentation stated. “[The group activity is] a place to learn, exert, perform, and share.”
The main influence in deciding where the bond money goes was the community, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) President Silvia Dias said. The bond money is dedicated mainly to three projects: MHS modernizations, a second high school at the former Samuel Ayers High School site, and the completion of Mabel Mattos Elementary School, she continued.
“Funds from this bond will go towards district-wide roofing, painting, security fencing, paving, and mechanical or HVAC updates, as well as site modernizations,” Dias said. “Milpitas Unified School District is thinking beyond the traditional 8am-3pm schedule, and looking at programs that are flexible and allow students to participate in internships or online learning.”
The main issue about the bond is the cost to taxpayers, Dias said. The district will be closely watched by the public to ensure that the bond funds are spent as promised, she continued.
“Our Milpitas Unified School District is a shining gem in our community and a small investment overall,” Dias stated. “Updated, more effective school campuses would make our city a more desirable place to live, increasing property values, and increasing the prosperity of our citizens.”
Rojas was in charge of making sure the needs of the community were heard during and after the campaign for where the bond money would go, he said. The campaign was a least a two-year process that is now finalizing the approved money, he added.
“We have a group of architects who put together some financial engineers to give us the estimates [for the modernizations],” Rojas said. “We’re facing high prices for construction, but the longer you wait, the more expensive things get so it’s all about timing. Some of the meetings we’re having now are about prioritizing which [construction] should go first and which ones have an impact on how the school runs.”
The Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) was a committee mandated by law to ensure funds were spent according to the original campaign promises, Dias said. However, the CBOC does not have any say in where the bond money will be spent, she added.
“Our Milpitas schools are in serious need of attention,” Dias said. “I am happy with the progress we’ve made so far, and my main goal on applying for the Oversight Committee is to help make sure these funds are being spent in a responsible manner, and in a way that benefits the largest amount of our student populations.”