PUEBLO — News5 has an update on how tax money in Pueblo is being used to renovate and rebuild District 60 schools. Voters approved the bond measure for $218 million in November. Those with the district said the new buildings being constructed for East and Centennial High Schools will cost around $75 million each, and they want the community to have a say in the design of the schools.
Centennial High School principal David Craddock said his school's foundation has shifted, causing numerous cracks in the building. Craddock said despite a new building being built, he's confident the history of Pueblo will be preserved. "Pueblo is a very proud town. We're very proud of our past and our tradition, and I know that there's going to be a good plan to save all of that and document it," said Craddock.
Dozens of people attended a meeting about the design plans at the Pueblo Library on Thursday evening. Both Centennial and East High School will have new buildings constructed on the campuses they already have. The architects wanted to learn more about what the students, teachers, and members of the community would like to see from the new schools. "We're collecting data from the district, and the teachers, and staff, on what are the spaces they're going to need in these new schools," said Amy Hurtig-Smith, the principal architect for HGF architects in Pueblo.
The Principal of East High School, Andy Clementi, said his students are ready for new technology. "We need a 21st century learning environment, and something that can last well beyond the next 10, 20, 30 years," said Clementi.
Central and South High Schools will be getting renovations because of the money as well. The new buildings for Centennial and East are expected to be around 185,000 square feet.
There will be town hall meetings, where people can voice their opinion about the designs. Those are coming up on April 22, June 3, June 4, August 10, and August 12.
The architects said the design process will take around a year, and they should have the plans finished by February 2021. The new high schools are expected to be ready for students in the fall of 2023.
