| | Published August 31st, 2011
| Measure E Funds Lamorinda High School Improvements
| | By Diana LaScala-Grunewald | | |
A new science classroom at Campolindo and a new pool at Acalanes are just two of dozens of upgrades completed or in progress at Lamorinda high schools this year.
In a time of economic downturn, where is the funding for these projects coming from? The answer is Measure E, passed in 2008 to improve instructional classroom technology and school facilities.
One exciting example of a Measure E-funded project is the new science classroom currently under construction at Campolindo High School (Campo), where many students take four years of science classes, and some even take multiple science classes in a year.
In the past, science teachers at Campo have had to switch classrooms throughout the day due to limited space. Accommodating the demand for adequate space has been extremely difficult; it has been especially challenging for teachers to teach lab classes when they only have the passing period to set up.
The new classroom will improve the situation by allowing more teachers their own classrooms, said Campolindo principal Carol Kitchens.
It should benefit students of all ages, and improve the quality of the labs in the high school biology and chemistry classes. It may also be used to supplement Campo's geology, physics, physiology and environmental science classes. The classroom will have a mounted LCD projector, and eight new lab tables, each with two integrated computers. Additionally, Campo has acquired Vernier probeware, meaning new lab equipment and software that Campo teachers will be incorporating into their regular lab work.
"We are extremely grateful for the continued support of the community," says Amanda Renno, the Science Department chair at Campo. "We know we wouldn't be able to expand our science offerings without it." The new science classroom is scheduled to be completed on December 12th, 2011.
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Measure E has funded a wide variety of projects in Lamorinda high schools, including but limited to the following:
Acalanes High School-The new, larger pool is in use; the 3D Art Room (room 506) has been renovated. In the next few months, the small gymnasium floor will be renovated. All of the renovations at Acalanes are projected to use about 13 million dollars of Measure E funding.
Campolindo High School-the digital photo classroom and video classroom have been completed. In the next few months, the new science classroom will be completed. All of the renovations at Campo are projected to use about 22 million dollars of Measure E funding.
Miramonte High School-a new special needs classroom has been completed; a new culinary arts classroom will be ready soon; the small gymnasium will be updated this year. All of the renovations at Miramonte are projected to use about 12 million dollars of Measure E funding.
An independent citizens' oversight committee reviews the use of all Measure E funds.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA