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GUHSD timeline opens Alpine
High School in 2013
By Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun
EL CAJON — To recap all of the work
that our tax dollars have been accomplishing, one must only take
a brief look at Grossmont Union High School District, and their
hearty efforts that are being put forth in the revamping, and
modernization of their facilities.
The funds from Proposition H are beginning to see the
bottom of the proverbial pot, but the public was willing to
replenish the construction dollars by pouring in more funds with
the passing of Proposition U. This includes fulfilling the hopes
of eventually seeing an Alpine High School by 2013.
As a schedule of things to look forward we see that
next month, January 2009, the highly anticipated results of the
diligent Environmental Impact Report, a study that was began
over two years ago will be released.
Essentia Management Services has been gathering
information on the proposed three selected sites in the Alpine /
Blossom Valley area, regarding the purchasing of land to build
the new high school. These sites include: Wright’s Field, the
Lazy A Ranch, and Chocolate Summit.
The environmental impacts that have been researched
include aesthetics and visual quality, air quality, biological
resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and
hazardous materials, noise, land use and planning, population
and housing, transportation/traffic, and water quality. These
issues are necessary to address, not only legally, but also for
the residents in the community when anyone is considering a
project as important and immense as a high school facility.
When the EIR is finally release next month, the board
is inviting all interested parties to review the findings and is
asking for public comment. Approval, by the board, of this
report is due to be made in June of 2009.
Also, the staff of GUHSD is looking to address the
board in January, regarding the scope of plans for Proposition
U. It is expected that a presentation of a broad game plan will
be made to the board for implementing the funds of Proposition
U, and there is a hope for board approval.
Looking forward to February 2009, there is a tentative
agenda item where Staff may be asking the board to approve sale
of the first tranche (slice) of the Proposition U bonds. It is
promising that this area of the credit market has not seized up
and is still viable due to the nature of this type of debt and
the district’s high credit rating. This is a great step forward
for the district as they are moving forward and looking to the
future with Proposition U. With Superintendent Robert Collins
leading the way, Proposition U’s project will hopefully be on
target rather than bobbing about in the wanna-be atmosphere for
two years as Proposition H did.
Still looking forward, late in 2009, the completed
designs on the latest phase of major renovations on the existing
high schools, authorized by Proposition U, will be submitted to
the state for approval. The work continues through 2010, as
reconstruction will carry on with money designated by the
remainders of Proposition H. This work will then continue with
the Proposition U funds after 2010.
If everything works out as promised, by the Fall of
2013, the realistic opening of a Alpine/Blossom Valley area high
school could be seen, based on the enrollment targets for the
future.
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the Editor
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