Lynwood Unified will complete its $10 million first phase of Measure K-financed school improvements with track and field upgrades at Lynwood High School this summer. At the same time, it will also continue its $7.9 million phase two effort.

Phase two projects include the renovation of the Pathways Independent Study campus, asphalt replacement and chain-link fencing upgrades, water main replacement and reconfiguration of drop-off zones at several elementary schools.

“Measure K provides critical funding to update Lynwood Unified campuses to meet the needs of students and ensure we provide safe, comfortable and engaging learning experiences that foster continued growth and academic success,” Superintendent Paul Gothold said.

Lynwood voters approved the $93 million Measure K facilities bond in 2012 so Lynwood Unified could maintain, repair and improve its facilities.

The following projects are in the works:

• District Stadium Upgrades ($2.5 million): Track and field renovation at the District’s Stadium, located at Lynwood High, is 50 percent complete. All underground infrastructure has been finished and final grading is being completed to prepare for installation of a synthetic field turf in April. In May, the track will be resurfaced with new rubberized material. The project will be completed by mid-summer.
• Pathways Independent Study Renovation ($1.0 million): The plan calls for construction of three modular classroom buildings, a new lunch area, a basketball court and restroom facilities. In May, construction crews will begin the work to demolish an existing site building to make way for the improvements, with new construction to proceed in September, pending final design review and approval by the Division of State Architects.
• Drop-off zones at Washington and Mark Twain Elementary schools ($850,000): Scheduled to begin in August, the new drop-off zones will improve student safety and efficiency in the mornings and afternoons. They are expected to be completed in November, pending final design review and approval by the Division of State Architects.
• Asphalt Replacement at Roosevelt, Lindbergh and Will Rogers Elementary Schools ($500,000): Work to remove old cracked asphalt and install drainage system to prevent water from puddling. Work is scheduled to start in June and be completed in August.
• Chain-link fencing upgrades at Abbot, Lindbergh and Roosevelt Elementary schools ($175,000): Work to replace deteriorating chain-link fencing, creating a safer learning environment, will begin in mid-June and is expected to be completed in August.
• Water main replacement at Abbott, Lincoln, Roosevelt and Washington Elementary schools ($830,000): This project to ensure the proper maintenance of vital school infrastructure will begin in July and is expected to be completed in November.

“These projects are all designed with student learning and safety in mind,” said Maria G. Lopez, LUSD Board President. “We want our students to be engaged in the educational process and we feel that our Measure K improvements will help them to be better students and better citizens.”

Since 2012, Lynwood Unified has moved forward with a variety of projects to improve school facilities and the types of learning environments it offers students.

The $28 million New Classroom Facility Project, completed in September 2014, removed dozens of portable classrooms at Lincoln and Washington Elementary schools and replaced them with two-story multi-classroom buildings featuring elevators, new restrooms and security cameras, along with new parking lots. Lincoln Elementary also received a new playground and swing set, an automatic maintenance entry gate and a baseball backstop.

The $10 million Phase 1, encompassing the majority of district campuses, brings a host of beautification and safety upgrades that include new asphalt and slurry; roofing improvements and new gutter systems; exterior painting providing standardized colors throughout the district; athletic facility and gymnasium renovations; metal roof preservation for portable classrooms and new chain-link fencing and privacy slats.

The second phase of construction kicked off with the installation of a new HVAC system installed in Lynwood Middle School’s library and was completed in September of 2014.

For more information on Measure K, visit www.lynwood.k12.ca.us.

PHOTO CAPTION: The track and field renovation at the District’s Stadium, located at Lynwood High, is approximately 50 percent complete. The projects is expected to be completed by mid-summer.