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Crawford High Colts Race Toward Construction

With Cheer, Music, and Alumni, Crawford High Colts Race Toward Construction
Posted on 09/25/2019
Rendering of future three-story classroom and performing arts building at Crawford HS

 

September 25, 2019

SAN DIEGO - The Crawford High cheer team joined a guitarist and cellist, along with their new principal and school alumni, on Wednesday to celebrate the groundbreaking for the first of three phases on their entire site transformation.

The multi-phase campus transformation features a new state-of-the-art three-story classroom hall and performing arts center, as well as renovations to classrooms, bathrooms, and the existing College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) auto shop.

Crawford High's Cheer Team

Crawford High's Cheer Team Kicks Off the Groundbreaking for the Entire Site Transformation on Sept. 25, 2019.

Sharon Whitehurst-Payne,San Diego Unified Board President, spoke about the importance of continuing the expansion of early and middle college partnerships, with special emphasis on programs at Crawford, Hoover, Lincoln, and Morse high schools.

"Our students will learn key skills to help them succeed," said Whitehurst-Payne. "Whether that be an automotive technician, a shop owner, a general manager, or an engineer, these programs will provide them college-to-career pathways."

Whitehurst-Payne attended a joint-board presentation with the San Diego Community College District in March 2019, along with Superintendent Marten and all board trustees.

The first phase of construction will enhance the automotive CCTE program with a new building, housing three service bays and a dedicated alignment bay. The auto lab's existing classroom, engine bay, and demonstration lift will be renovated.

The second phase includes campus-wide upgrades. Classrooms will be renovated and campus security will be improved, including lighting, fire alarms, emergency communications systems, and new security cameras. The existing food services area and restrooms will also be renovated.

In the final phase, crews will demolish the existing auditorium and administration buildings to create the three-story building with new classrooms, performing arts center, and secure campus entrance through the new administration office suite. Finishing out the project, a new parking lot and student drop-off/pick-up area will be constructed on the corner of Orange Avenue and Colts Way.

Teachers with shovels

Pictured: Crawford High Music Teacher J.P. Riley, ASB President Kim Van, Will C. Crawford Foundation President Greg Estep, CCTE Students, and New Principal Froylán Villanueva join Superintendent Cindy Marten, Board President Dr. Sharon Whitehurst-Payne, Board Trustee Dr. Mike McQuary, and Chief Facilities and Construction Officer, Lee Dulgeroff, in the groundbreaking.

Crawford High School music teacher, John "J.P." Riley, said the new performing arts center on site will close the equity gap by giving students state-of-the-art facilities.

"We're looking at a professional space with professional classrooms," Riley said. "This gives our students the opportunity to collaborate and grow beyond the classroom."

The first dedication for Crawford High School was in April 1958. Will C. Crawford High School Foundation President, Greg Estep, grew up on the street right behind the campus, and graduated from Crawford in 1968.

"A lot has changed since the 60's," Estep said. "I have seen Crawford evolve into the multi-cultural institution it is today."

The California Department of Education statistics list Crawford High as the most diverse school in California.

11th Grader Luis Torres Plays Guitar

11th Grader Luis Torres Plays Guitar and Sings at Groundbreaking Event Held on Sept. 25, 2019

Newly appointed Principal, Froylán Villanueva, who grew up in the Crawford High School neighborhood, said he hopes to widen the sphere of success for students.

"We believe classrooms can be places of hope, where students and teachers can imagine the kind of society we could live in," Villanueva said.

Construction is anticipated to complete in spring 2023.

To read more about projects, like the Crawford High School Whole Site Modernization, visit http://fpcprojects.sandi.net.

About San Diego Unified Facilities Planning and Construction Projects

As of July 9, 2019, San Diego Unified has 80 projects in the design and bid phase, 33 in construction, 138 completed campus upgrades, 80 new classroom buildings, 626 portables removed/replaced, and 25 Career Technical Education facilities.

The District has installed air conditioning in 85% of classrooms, with 200 classrooms air conditioned in just the last 45 days. The District is nearing the finish line on its air conditioning initiative, with 29 schools that are either in construction or in the design process for their Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) projects.

Additionally, San Diego Unified is funding new parks citywide through its "Play All Day" partnership with the City of San Diego, with a goal of breaking ground on 45 new joint-use parks in the next 5-10 years. There are now 83 joint-use between San Diego Unified and the city, with 44 new fields in the planning process. Two fields were recently completed, and five fields are currently under construction.

Solar projects are also making headway - with eight school projects completed in just the first phase of installation, 10 schools pending construction in the second phase, and 14 schools planned in the third phase of installation. These three solar phases will save the district approximately $3.6 million per year.