Clovis students go back to school, see improved facilities

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- Thousands of Clovis Unified students went back to school on Monday, and for some, a new year meant new and improved facilities too. Construction crews worked all summer long, making millions of dollars in improvements to campuses all over the district.

These 6th graders at Temperance-Kutner Elementary should already know their way around school by now. But their campus has seen a lot of changes while they were off for the summer. And with a new administration building still under construction, they've got a few detours to navigate.

"We fence it off so kids are safe, that's really a big priority for our contractors is to keep kids safe, and we work with the principal on those pathways we know kids will want to walk," said Clovis Unified Superintendent of Facilities Don Ulrich.

District-wide, Clovis Unified has 13 construction projects slated for this year, or $80 million worth of Measure A money.

Improvements range from the outside in. Classrooms were outfitted with the latest technology bandwidth and audio-visual infrastructure. Clovis Unified's director of construction says the focus is on improving learning.

"This is our reading room. It's not quite done yet but the idea is we can have students, just have a quiet place in the library to read," said Rick Lawson.

Pinedale Elementary School got a new multi-purpose room as well as kindergarten classrooms. For a school built back in 1953, the new additions are a big deal.

"How exciting for our kindergarteners to start their educational career in a brand-new facility, the first ever to walk into this classroom; it's part of history," said Pinedale Elementary Principal Debra Bolls.

History and pride among the families, many who've had multiple generations attend here.

"To know that Clovis Unified invested millions of dollars into our school, they've actually invested into our community," said Pinedale Community Liaison Linda Amparano.