New building greets students at Clark Intermediate School in Clovis

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- More than 40,000 students headed back to the classroom in Clovis Unified on Monday. At some schools, there was a whole new look on campus.

Monday morning, students came early to start the school year at Clark Intermediate in Clovis. After a long summer off, they were greeted with a new sight and a new building.

"It's awesome," eighth grade student Mikey Ortega said.

Mikey and his grandmother were happy to see crews were able to finish the new classroom and administration building for the first day of school.

"It's awesome. I'm proud that he is going here because this is where I came when I was in junior high," Liz Perales said.

Perales remembers the old administration building that stood just a couple years ago. The former structure was constructed in the 1940s and 1950s and built for the growing Clovis Union High School. Inside, teachers are happy to be in a modern space.

"I was in the old ancient building that they tore down to build this one before that," seventh grade health and science teacher Nathan Dean said.

Dean is already enjoying the new features and technology. He just couldn't wait to share it with his kids.

"Oh, it's beautiful. Look around. I spent the entire week getting it ready for kids. Everything works, everything is clean and everything is new. It's really neat," Dean said.

The two-story building comes with 12 new classrooms and administration offices. The heating and cooling was updated, as well as the technology. Crews also added a little bit of Chieftain spirit to the building.

"There's the Clark emblem in the roof, and at certain times of the day the shadow will be right on the side of the building or right in the main part of the amphitheater for the kids to see and add that spirit to the whole class," Facility Services Assistant Superintendent Don Ulrich said.

The construction on the two-story building was completed in two phases and was made possible by Measure A, which taxpayers passed to update Clovis Unified facilities.

It took about $15 million to construct this new classroom and administration building. Educators say they're looking forward to the new school year.