Upgrades to Begin at Four High Schools

Much-needed renovations at the four oldest high schools in Oxnard and Camarillo will begin as early as this spring.

Oxnard Union High School District leaders this week approved a $16.5-million plan to upgrade facilities at Adolfo Camarillo, Hueneme, Channel Islands and Rio Mesa high schools.

All four campuses will get new restrooms by next fall. Major improvements to wiring and plumbing systems will begin immediately at Camarillo High--the district’s oldest school--while the same upgrades at the other schools will be put off for two years.

The modernization projects were approved in 1999, but the state ran out of money after officials had promised to fund 80% of the work. New state school bonds are expected to go before voters in November and in 2004 and 2006.

In the last six years the district has built two new high schools, both in Oxnard. The $33-million renovated Oxnard High opened in 1995, and the $53-million Pacifica High opened last fall.