Courtesy of CVUSD

CHINO VALLEY- The third round of CVUSD’s Facilities Master Plan meetings is underway.  Improving schools in the Chino Valley is a long-term investment for our community. Equipping our schools with the latest technology, heightening awareness of school facility safety and incorporating interactive learning environments into existing schools to maintain academic excellence were themes that resounded in group meetings hosted by Superintendent Wayne Joseph at all 35 schools during the fall months. The meetings are part of the Facilities Master Plan (FMP) update process that has been underway since early 2015.

Most of our schools were built decades ago, with some built in the 1950’s, and they need basic health and safety improvements. The Facilities Master Plan will allow the district to identify long-term facility needs based on demographics, facility assessment, and the district’s educational goals and then develop strategies to address these needs in a comprehensive manner. The FMP process will conclude with the production of a document that will outline facility needs into the foreseeable future for all of the district’s existing schools and district support sites. The last FMP was completed in 2009.

Per current state guidelines, a school is eligible for a complete modernization when it reaches 25-years-old. The state traditionally provides a portion of the funds for the modernization, however there are two requirements that school districts must meet to obtain those funds. The district must provide their own matching funds and they must have the Division of the State Architect (DSA) approved final plans to qualify for the state funds. The process to obtain the funds is very competitive, as districts throughout the state are all hoping to tap into the funds. In fact, those funds have been totally expended over the past six years, due to the state’s economic downturn, which makes competition fiercer than in previous years.

While we have been able to make repairs and upgrades to some of our schools, additional health and safety and other facility improvements are still needed.  The four tenets of the Master Plan are:

• To build something that does not currently exist to address education needs;
• Renovate/Repair existing facilities;
• Complete improvements to the grounds such as play fields, black top surfaces or drop off and pick up routes;
• Improve technology and update furniture.

Plan to join the conversation and provide important input on the priorities for our schools!

Meetings have already been conducted with school principals, and then again with the school’s instructional/support staff, and now it is the community’s turn.

Find your school and the meeting date and time on the list below.

Upcoming meetings in March:
• March 2 – Canyon Hills Jr. High at 9:30 a.m.
• March 3 – Walnut Elementaryat 8:30 a.m.
• March 9 – Eagle Canyon Elementaryat 8:30 a.m.
• March 9 – Adult School at 10:30 a.m.
• March 10 – Butterfield Ranch Elementaryat 9:00 a.m.
• March 14 – Anna Borba Elementaryat 8:30 a.m.
• March 14 – Don Lugo High Schoolat 3:00 p.m.
• March 16 – Rolling Ridge Elementaryat 10:30 a.m.
• March 16 – Rhodes Elementary at 6:30 p.m.
• March 17 – Dickey Elementaryat 8:15 a.m.
• March 17 – Briggs Fundamentalat noon

Meetings will also be taking place in April and May:

• April 4 – Chino High School Library at 6:00 p.m.
  • April 5 – Hidden Trials Elementaryat 9:00 a.m.
  • April 6 – Cortez Elementaryat 6:00 p.m.
  • April 7 – Ramona Junior High  at 9:00 a.m.
  • April 8 – Townsend Junior High at 2:30 p.m.
  • April 12 – Country Springs Elementaryat 8:30 a.m.
  • April 12 – Chino Hills High School at 5:00 p.m.
  • April 13 – Litel Elementary at 9:00 a.m.
  • April 14 – Wickman Elementaryat 12:30 p.m.
  • April 14 – Dickson Elementaryat 3:30 p.m.
  • April 15 – Marshall at 8:50 a.m.
  • April 18 – Glenmeade Elementary at 8:30 a.m.
  • April 20 – Magnolia Jr. Highat 10:00 a.m.
  • April 21 – Liberty Elementaryat 9:00 a.m.
  • April 25 – Cattle Elementary at 2:30 p.m.
  • April 26 – Ayala High School MPR at 2:30 p.m.
  • April 28 – Woodcrest Jr. Highat 9:00 a.m.
  • April 28 – Cal Aero Academy at 12:30 p.m.
  • April 29 – Oak Ridge Elementaryat 9:00 a.m.
  • May 9 – Chaparral Elementaryat 8:30 a.m.
  • May 11 – Newman Elementaryat 8:45 a.m.
  • May 17 – Buena Vista High School at 9:00 a.m.