Upgraded Classrooms, Technology Wanted in Middle and High Schools

Measure S passed in April, . Local middle and high schools are making out their wish lists in hopes that their projects will be funded. Facility repairs and technology upgrades top their lists.

Dr. Cynthia Livingston, principal of , said the school is in need of remodeled classrooms.

“Our hopes are remodeled math classrooms, upgrades to the gym and locker rooms, and technology upgrades,” she said. “The heating, air conditioning and lighting in the math classrooms are terrible. It’s difficult for the teachers to teach over the noise of the 40-year old HVAC system. They also need wireless technology in the math classrooms.” 

Livingston said the gym lockers have long been a source of complaints. “They’re 50 years old and in desperate need of sprucing up,” she said.

Over at , Principal Dr. Michelle Doll is also requesting updated technology to assist in instruction, as well as facility upgrades and support for their athletics department.  

Douglas Dall, principal at has benefited from previous bond funds. Measure K, the school bond measure passed in 1997, paid for the $15 million makeover the property received before the school opened in 1998. However, Dall said the funds didn’t stretch quite far enough.

“The money ran out before we could fully renovate the 5000 and 6000 buildings,” he said. As a result, classrooms are cramped and many must serve double-duty. For instance, robots from their award-winning robotics program are stored in small side rooms and must be brought out into the cinematography labs to be worked on.

“What I envision for Clark is a newly-built, comprehensive technology lab that will be a classroom/workshop/studio for the robotics, engineering, digital photography and cinematography departments,” said Dall. “There is a perfect spot for this structure behind the 6000 building.”

While Clark has an enviable school-wide technology system, some of the computers are fairly old. The cinematography department has a particular problem with their Mac G5’s. They were donated by JPL years ago, but do not support the current Final Cut Pro software the students use. So, Clark’s wish list also includes new desktop computers with the required Intel processors.

What upgrades each school will see depends on what the Glendale Board of Education votes on, with the help of a  Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. Today is the last day to apply to become a member of the committee.