New classrooms bring latest technology to Righetti

“We are living in the past right now our campus is kind of old and not up to date,” says Johnuel Laron, a Senior at Ernest Righetti High School.

That is how he describes some of the current classrooms at the school.

However, soon enough, students at the school will be getting more up-to-date classrooms.

“Not only will it increase the capacity but it will also provide classrooms that are more conducive to 21st Century standards” says Jeff Hearn, Chair of the H-2016 School Bond.

The Santa Maria Joint Union School District Board is using money from 2004 funds to build a 38 room classroom complex where a back parking lot at the school now sits.

“I feel like we are going to be competitive and have a really good chance to get more students who want to come here,” says Laron.

School Board Officials say back in 2004 they asked the public’s help to build a new high school, but, when that wasn’t possible they decided to use already existing land on the property to build something new.

“The plan is to build three, three story buildings to the area we are currently standing at which will accommodate approximately the same amount of students that are in the portables,” says Hearn.

Right now, portable classrooms are some of the places where students are learning.

School officials say they estimate this project to be complete by 2018. They say the new classrooms will be equip with modern technology to help students learn.

“Our objective is to make the most of every day we have with kids,” says Hearn.

“I have a little brother that is going to come here to give him a better experience of learning,” says Laron.