We had a very successful opening of school this year. While on the academic front, Poway Unified schools continue to be some of the highest performing in the county and state.

Many of you are seeing school construction at sites throughout the district. Thanks to the passage of the $198 million Building for Success, Proposition U school bond passed by PUSD voters in November 2002, 24 older schools will be renovated and expanded during the next seven years.

We are committed to providing the very finest facilities possible while prudently utilizing the community’s school bond dollars. This year several schools are under construction, with more to be added with each upcoming year. The future for our children is what these facilities improvements are all about.

Construction work has started on schedule at Westwood and Midland elementary schools, and Mt. Carmel and Poway high schools. Design and planning activities for Twin Peaks Middle School and Tierra Bonita Elementary School are under way, with construction at these sites scheduled to start in Fall 2005. The design and planning for Garden Road Elementary School is about to begin.

The work to create a temporary campus for Midland Elementary School at Garden Road Elementary was completed before the first day of school. Driving along Midland Road, you will notice that building demolition and necessary site preparation work for the new school is in progress at the Midland Elementary school site. The local community participated in the design of new school buildings, which complement the Old Poway Master Plan. The new Midland Elementary School is scheduled to be ready for the students in the Fall of 2005. At Westwood Elementary School, construction started this summer and will continue until summer or fall 2005. The school will have a new multipurpose room and lunch facilities, additional and renovated classrooms, a new library and a new computer lab.

At Mt. Carmel High School, a new eight-classroom building was built over the spring and summer break and was ready for classes when school started. Construction of additional classrooms, a new music facility, and renovation of the fine arts and auto mechanics area will begin in the next few months.

Poway High School’s construction projects, including a new two-story building, will cover 80,000 square feet of Poway High’s campus. This summer, work began on the new girl’s softball field. In addition, thanks to a generous grant from the city of Poway, artificial turf was installed on the football field. Work to increase parking along the south side of Titan Stadium is also in progress.

The start of these projects is part of an exciting year for the community, parents, students, and staff of the Poway Unified School District. As we move forward with construction, your understanding and participation in this bond program is greatly appreciated.

Should you have any questions, please contact Mark Miller, director of educational facilities and programs at (858) 748-0010, ext. 2278 or by e-mail at propuinfo@powayusd.com .

Citizens Oversight Committee web page is http://www.powayusd.com/news/coc.