Bullard high ready to reveal new classrooms

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Students returning to Bullard High School on Monday will get a chance to see a brand new building.

The sounds of progress filled Bullard High School on Friday as crews put the finishing touches on the brand new academic building before it opens to students on Monday. "I can't wait to be in it," senior Areed Phillips said. "I think it's pretty cool. It took awhile to build it, all construction was in the way to build it but I'm going to love it because it's going to be fun to be in. I'm glad there's actually a building instead of bungalows."

Students had previously been in portable classrooms, but this new building is a real treat. The two-story building features 24 classrooms and a conference room. Teacher Molly Yates-Weber is spend her Friday preparing her new classroom for the new semester. "I've been at Bullard for 11 years and I went to Bullard as a student as well," Yates-Weber said. "And so, this is exciting to get a brand new building and kind of a facelift."

The new space also features two classrooms for students with special needs, where students can learn life skills and at their own pace. The 38,000 square feet building also comes with new security measures.

"If we can use some of our Measure Q money to make sure that our kids and staff is safe then we're going to do it," principal Carlos Castillo said. "We have 10 cameras I installed in this new building and other cameras installed throughout the school."

Castillo says he hopes this new building will help improve the learning environment for Bullard's 2,600 students. The project was paid for with Measure Q dollars, which was passed by local taxpayers.

Besides the building, more changes are on the way. Nearby buildings will be demolished to make way for the new administrative and library explanation. Projects that should be completed in summer 2017.