Millions in school improvement projects at several western Chula Vista high schools will take place in the coming years.
The Sweetwater Union High School Board of Trustees unanimously approved General Obligation Bonds on Monday for future projects at Castle Park High School, Chula Vista High School, Mar Vista High School, and Southwest High School.
The district will grant $37,620,000 in bond issuances from Proposition O, a general obligation bond to update classrooms, restrooms, and technology, improve handicap accessibility, remove asbestos and lead paint and upgrade fire and life safety systems.
The district will also grant $171,000,000 in bonds under Measure DD, which voters passed in 2018 to authorize the district to issue $403 million to fund repairs, upgrades, safety measures, and program instruction.
Approval of the bonds comes after the Castle Park High School community spoke out on the deteriorating condition of the school. An anonymous Instagram page, "save.cp.now", began chronicling the school’s conditions.
Castle Park High School will receive $27,500,000 for athletic facilities modernization and $19,250,000 for building and site improvements. Mar Vista, Chula Vista High, and South West High will also receive athletic facilities improvements.
According to the district, Bonita Vista High will receive $19,250,000 for building and site improvements under Measure DD.
Howard Banister, a special education teacher and the head football coach for Chula Vista High School, spoke at the board meeting supporting the bond issuances.
“Castle Park, Chula Vista, Mar Vista, and Southwest need your help. It needs to get done, and I’m glad you guys are moving forward with this,” Bannister said. “I teach on the 100's building in Chula Vista High School. It is probably the oldest building in the entire district. Yes, it needs help. Yes, I've had my challenges teaching in it, but never has a student torn an ACL walking into that classroom. Sports facilities are also classrooms."
Several other public speakers asked the board and the taxpaying public to look deeper into these projects. Others urged the community to stay vigilant by understanding where the money will go to avoid misuse.
“It’s time. Our kids deserve the same safe facilities that east side school kids have,” Banister said. “I know I have been personally critical of you guys to get this done, but I applaud you for moving forward to get this done.”
According to a district cover letter, the projects are a part of the 2018 Master Plan.
Board member Nicholas Segura expressed full support, saying the bonds were long-overdue.
“As coach Banister mentioned, the athletic field is a classroom as well,” Segura said. “This is another big step so future students won't have to play on those fields."
According to Segura, this brings a sense of pride to the parents in the Castle Park Community.
“They want site improvements too, and I’m with them. We will do what we can, and I think this will create some equity in terms of athletic fields. This needs to be done, it’s honestly overdue.”
