District: OHHS on track for 2009 opening

Despite not yet having a construction firm in place, school district officials believe Oak Hills High School is on track to open in two years.

For that to happen, however, the Hesperia Unified School District must pass several milestones:

* On October 8, the school district's governing board is expected to approve a construction bid for Oak Hills High School.

* District officials are also hopeful that the city and county can negotiate differences of opinion regarding Ranchero Road, which is one of the future school's main arterials.

* The board must decide which grades will open first at Oak Hills.

"We think we can get it taken care of by August of '09," George Landon, the HUSD's assistant superintendent of business services, said during last Wednesday's facility workshop.

Last month, Pelayes recommended the board start the process anew and invite other school construction companies to submit proposals after the San Diego-based Barnhart, Inc. sent a letter criticizing the HUSD's decision to go with Rancho Cucamonga-based WLC Construction Services. Barnhart officials contended their proposal and experience was superior to WLC's.

The board voted to table the RFP issue regarding future until next month after learning that the school district's attorney, Tristan Pelayes of the Riverside-based Wagner & Pelayes, is putting finishing touches on a presentation regarding RFP guidelines.

District officials are optimistic that the bidding process will go smoothly.

"Right now is a good bidding climate," Landon said. "We'll see how it all comes in."

Other school site facility updates presented by Landon last Wednesday included:

Hesperia High

The Hesperia High School science complex is expected to be completed by next spring.

"Hesperia High is going to witness the sounds of construction during the school year as this project goes forward," Landon said.

Cypress Academy

Currently a sixth-grade-only school, 10 additional classrooms and a kindergarten center will be added to Cypress Academy to transform the site into a K-6 school by August 2009.

Mojave High

The construction of two additional portables and a restroom are expected to be completed at Mojave High School by December.

Cedar Middle

According to Landon, Cedar Middle School opened for seventh-graders last week. The approximate enrollment is 599 students. School construction will continue when it opens for both seventh and eighth grades next year.

Following revisions to the cost of electrical contracting services, the revised contract amount to construct Cedar Middle School is $27.5 million.

Mission Crest

Mission Crest Elementary, which is currently under construction, is expected to be ready by next March. Approximate enrollment will include 758 students from Mission Crest and 648 from Mesquite Trails.

There are no changes to Mission Crest's original $13.3 million construction contract.

Krystal Elementary

Regarding Krystal Elementary, the district is considering acquiring five additions acres to the 13 acres it owns through eminent domain. The move comes after the property owner failed to respond to the school district in a timely manner. The board is expected to consider a resolution to move forward in the eminent domain process at the board's Sept. 10 meeting.

Krystal Elementary is expected to open in August of 2009.

Cedar Glen Elementary

The school district also is considering eminent domain proceedings to acquire five acres to supplement another 10 acres that are expected to be acquired by two willing sellers.

Cedar Glen Elementary is also expected to open in August of 2009.

Verano Elementary

Verano Elementary is expected to open in August of 2009.

Interim housing

Regarding interim housing, the district has placed 39 relocatable classrooms through the district.

Modernization projects

Hesperia's older schools are undergoing modernization projects. Those facilities include Joshua Circle, Mesa Grande, Juniper, Kingston, Hesperia Junior and Hesperia High.