Cross Elementary on track to relieve school congestion

IMPERIAL — Owing to growth of this city which has doubled in the last 10 years, Imperial Cross Elementary School will be the third new school to open in the last 20 years.

Bryan Thomason, superintendent of the Imperial Unified School District sincerely thanked the voters for their support of Measure O, passing with over 70 percent of approval. Not only will it improve the learning environment by providing new facilities and upgrades to existing classrooms, but the resources will be enjoyed by the community such as libraries and playing fields. Also, with the Public Education Facilities Bond that passed in November, the state will match 50 percent on construction projects and 60 percent on improvement projects.

“What’s exciting is there’s no school on the east side of (SR) 86 and a lot of families in this community will be able to walk to school… [currently] parents are transporting children to Waggoner and Ben Hulse Elementary Schools,” said Thomason.

Methodically reviewing an artist rendering of architect Sanders, Inc. of the school layout was Hudson Burch, a Ben Hulse fifth grader. “It looks impressive,” he said. “But I’ll already be in junior high school when it’s finished.”

Imperial Cross Elementary School will comprise seven buildings, 34 classrooms, totaling 68,928 square feet and house Transition Kindergarten through fifth grade. Three parking lots will separate staff and public parking along with separate bus and vehicular drop-off areas. The approximate total cost was $34 million.

Parent Amy Brinnon brought both her son Drew and daughter Brooke. She noted she was excited since the school will relieve the congestion experienced by both the Waggoner and Ben Hulse Schools. Brinnon, a fifth grade teacher at Waggoner remarked if she transfers to Imperial Cross, she will have her daughter follow with her.

“I came today because I’m the advisor to the student council and they did the Pledge of Allegiance,” said Brinnon. “But I wanted my own kids to experience the ceremony. It’s their first ground breaking. It’s a good memory to carry to the future.”

Linda Sanchez, president of the IUSD board of trustees noted the school was a lot of money, yet it is all to ensure the best educations for generations to come. She remarked, it was exciting; the school is a state-of-the-art facility and it is nice to know they are keeping pace with other communities with higher forms of technology.

“We want to nurture our own scientists, engineers, information technologists and mathematicians,” she said. “With our blend of teachers and equipment, it all moves like a fine-oiled machine.”