A lot of seniors at Rowland High are finding someone parked in their parking spaces next to the gym. Rowland Unified is using that part of the lot to park a dozen new portable classrooms.

The temporary buildings are being used for classes displaced when the district began remodeling the science wing this month. In fact, work on the Raider campus began this summer, when work crews began installing new utilities.

Deep trenches crisscrossed the empty high school while contractors put in new sewer, water, electric and gas lines. The work will prepare the school for a complete renovation that will see the addition of a new performing arts center and other buildings.

But right now, the Raiders are coping with the

Students walks to the new portable classrooms in the parking lot at Rowland High. (Staff photo by Watchara Phomicinda)
renovation of the science labs. Workers have encased the entire wing in a sheet of plastic emblazoned with asbestos warnings.

Hazmat crews are busy removing some asbestos found in the old building. Once they have gutted the entire structure, other crews will move in to install new insulated walls, windows and utilities. High efficiency heating and cooling plants have already been installed on the roof.

"We're installing all-new mechanical systems and infrastructure," explained Khary Knowles, senior project manager for Erickson-Hall Construction. "We'll also build an addition that will give Rowland two new science labs."

The modernization project is funded by a $118 million construction bond passed in 2006. Click HERE for entire story!