Montebello Unified School District Board President and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Anthony J. Martinez, were joined by local elected leaders, students, and community for the ground-breaking ceremony for a pair of two-story buildings at Bell Gardens Elementary School yesterday morning.
The Board President, Superintendent of Schools, students, and local leaders turned the first spade of dirt with ceremonial golden shovels to mark the start of construction. The new buildings, which will provide modern classrooms for 3rd, 4th and 5th-grade students, are anticipated to be used during the 2019 – 2020 school year.
BGE students Desiree Ruiz Brambila and Melanie Patino Almodovar, addressed the audience by sharing their anticipation and enthusiasm about the construction project. In addition to these two students, the BGE mariachi, “Los Potrillos,” and the Bell Gardens Intermediate School Dance Team also entertained the crowd.
Construction funding will be provided by Measure GS Bond monies that were approved by voters in June of 2016. Throughout district schools, bond monies have and will continue to fund the installation of energy efficient and renewable energy systems, including the construction of solar carports. Our District will also modernize computer and science labs, and other school facilities; upgrade HVAC systems; retrofit LED lighting; fix leaky roofs; and improve plumbing and wiring; among other enhancements.
The two new buildings will contain 19 state-of-the-art classrooms with new promethean boards, which feature new learning advancements over smart boards, as well as a library /learning center and a teacher workroom. The building will also contain new elevators, LED lighting, an HVAC system, hydration stations, new restrooms, and WI-FI in every classroom.