The 2015-16 school year has begun for California R-I students, with the first day on Thursday, Aug. 20. The school facilities are much the same, but the school improvements continued over the last year, due in part to the bond issue passed by the voters in April of 2014.
At the high school campus on West Buchanan Street, the completed and on-going construction presents a different look for returning students and staff. And not all of the different look is due to school construction. For instance, the new water tower, with the "Pinto Strong" logo in prominent view from the home football bleachers, was a project of the City of California.
Noticeable new school projects include the new baseball / softball field, fenced with artificial turf infield, immediately south of the main school building. The addition to the ag building is essentially complete. The expanded facility greatly increases the available space for the students and teachers in the ag program.
New last year was the football field with artificial turf, bleachers, concession stand / restroom building and press box, surrounded by a new fence, which was also new last year. Other improvements include the new scoreboard with video, thanks to the E.M. Burger Foundation, and steel arches reading "Riley Field...Home of the Pintos" installed over the two new entryways to the football field, thanks to the Quarterback Club.
There are other changes at all the schools, but many are not likely to be noticed immediately. Although not new for this school year, it is worth mentioning that students arriving by bus at the Elementary and Middle Schools at the Owen Street campus are able to enter and exit the buses from covered walkways. The buildings have been made more energy efficient. This is the second year for the security measures which require visitors to be buzzed in, with camera and intercom mounted next to the doors.