Capuchino High School Renovations Under Way

Though it’s summer and the students are out, the campus is bustling with life as workers finish up the major construction at Capuchino High School.

“The buildings look great and have really transformed the Capuchino campus,” said Peter Hanley, vice president of the board.

Some of the major renovations include: an upgraded gym, new humanities buildings, classrooms with natural light and a renovated music room and theater. All but the theater will be ready when the school opens for the new year on August 14.

Measure M, a $298 million bond measure passed by voters in 2006, funded most of the remodel.

Once the measure passed, the project list was re-worked to consolidate smaller projects into larger projects giving the district better economies of scale, said Adam Coll of Greystone West, the company that oversees the projects.

Following the design phase, which took one year, the drawings were submitted to the Division of the State Architect (DSA). After that, contracts were signed and construction began.

Elizabeth McManus, deputy superintendent of business services says her favorite part of the campus is the athletic spirit court and the Maria Skye's CTE building.

“The new classroom building is going to provide a wonderful educational environment for staff and students,” she said. “Form truly follows function.”

Punch work and landscaping is left to complete on the new classroom building, but contents from the portables will begin moving today, said Coll. The theater is estimated to be ready by winter break.

“The new theater will be amazing when it is completed and a true asset to the entire community,” said McManus.

Hanley was a volunteer teacher under Junior Achievement at Capuchino in the 1980’s and early 1990’s and says the buildings weren’t in good shape at all.

“Plaster was falling off the walls and ceilings and the campus looked run down to me,” he said.

The campus had not had any major remodeling done for decades at that time.

“So the transformation now is amazing,” said Hanley. “I am grateful to our communities in San Mateo Union High School District that have supported the bond measures necessary to provide our students with first class facilities.”

Many other Measure M projects are also wrapping up at other schools in the district. Though the voters passed the measure in 2006, work didn’t get started until 2009. McManus says there are many reasons for the delays.

“The downturn in the economy has been devastating to the construction market,” she said. “The district's ability to issue debt was delayed as a result of this, postponing the disbursements of the debt.”

This has been a common experience with surrounding school districts, she added.