EL MONTE – The El Monte Union community gathered on Dec. 11 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the first major construction projected funded by its Measure HS facilities bond – a 15,000-square-foot Multipurpose Building and Gymnasium at Fernando R. Ledesma High School.

The facility, which aims to promote healthy living, collaboration and sustainability, will serve as a gathering place for health and wellness instruction, physical fitness activities, athletic events, performances and functions for the El Monte Union community. The anticipated completion date is late spring 2021.

“We have been patiently waiting to start on this project for some time now, and we are excited to finally see it come to fruition, not only for the benefit of our students, but the larger El Monte Union community as well,” Principal Freddy Arteaga said. “With this facility, we hope to provide our community with the tools to live and eat healthy and a space in which to come together for our shared purpose of supporting our students’ achievement.”

The $13 million facility is being funded primarily by Measure HS, a $190 million facilities bond approved by voters in November 2018. Other funding sources include Measure D and developer fees.
“Over the last several years, we have dedicated our efforts to build and maintain environmentally sustainable schools that promote healthy lifestyles among our students and the larger community,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “We are proud to be able to achieve our goal of providing high quality education and postsecondary preparation in sustainable facilities. I want to thank our community members for their ongoing support.”

The site will house a cafeteria, performance space with grandstand seating, basketball court, an outdoor weightlifting area, snack bar, concession and lobby areas, restrooms, classrooms and a learning garden.

Other planned Measure HS Series A projects across the District include security upgrades; infrastructure upgrades (roofing, HVAC, classroom lighting); artificial track and field and snack bar replacements for two schools; designs for full modernizations at Mountain View and South El Monte high schools and construction of new Transition Center; furniture replacement; and various parking area improvements.

An independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee oversees and monitors project expenditures.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

121219_EMUHSD_GROUNDBREAKING1: The El Monte Union community came together on Dec. 11 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new Multipurpose Building and Gymnasium at Fernando R. Ledesma High School. The $13 million facility is being funded primarily by the Measure HS facilities bond. Pictured are Board of Trustees President Florencio F. Briones (left), Board Clerk Carlos G. Salcedo, Member David Diaz, FRLHS Principal Freddy Arteaga, Board Member Ricardo Padilla, Vice President Maria Morgan and Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga.

121219_EMUHSD_GROUNDBREAKING2: The El Monte Union community came together on Dec. 11 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new Multipurpose Building and Gymnasium at Fernando R. Ledesma High School. The $13 million facility is being funded primarily by the Measure HS facilities bond. Pictured are FRLHS Principal Freddy Arteaga, retired EMUHSD educator Fernando R. Ledesma, Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga and FRLHS student Anthony Aguirre.