Construction contractor Barnhart, Inc. announced the completion of the $10-million, 18-classroom addition to Cajon Park School in Santee, CA, that houses 450 students in grades 5 through 8.
The 32,823-square-foot, two-story building opened recently adjacent to the existing 42,000-square-foot Cajon Park School campus that is currently undergoing $6.7 million in modernization covering K-4 classrooms, offices, library/technology center, a kitchen, and bathrooms. The new Cajon Park junior high addition is the first new classroom building for the Santee School District since 1960, part of a $165-million school modernization program approved by voters in November 2006.
Barnhart, Inc. is overseeing construction and construction management for the modernization of nine elementary schools in the Santee School District.
Designed to meet standards for green building construction, the new school building's energy-conserving features control the amount of sunlight entering the rooms and electricity needed to power light fixtures. Drought-resistant plants cut down water use while recycled ceramic tile and carpeting reduce waste.
Santee School Superintendent Dr. Lis Johnson said, "Modernization of our school sites and new construction of the Cajon Park Junior High creates world-class educational facilities and learning environments for our students."
Cajon Park School principal Marcia Ginn-May said the new classroom building has made a significant difference in the learning environment for students, and that teachers and staff are now "renewed and rejuvenated." Groundbreaking for the project was in April 2008, the new junior high building was completed in December 2008, and modernization work will be completed by April 2009.
Barnhart staff working on the classroom addition and modernization program includes Anton Greenville, EVP-field operations; Grace Chan, project manager; and Jason Plitz, superintendent.