Following board approval of bids for the HUSD Community Events Center at Hesperia High School at 9898 Maple Ave. Hesperia, CA 92345 the Hesperia Unified School District is pleased to announce a groundbreaking ceremony to be held Monday, December 18, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.
The federal government provided a significant amount of ESSER funding during the pandemic. There was great flexibility in how a district could use these funds, but it was outlined in Section 18003(d) of the CARES Act.
HUSD made great use of these funds, providing personal protective equipment, equipment and resources for the cleaning and sanitization of facilities, a major HVAC project with equipment that could handle the MERV 13 filters, and major technology investments in devices, infrastructure, and hot spots for students that did not have internet access in their homes.
Section 18003(d) also identified a number of areas that led to the district submitting a request for the Hesperia High Event Center. These include:
School facility repairs and improvements
Planning and implementing activities, including addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English Learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care
Providing mental health services and supports, including through the implementation of evidence-based, full-service community schools
Planning and implementing activities related to supplemental after-school programs
Developing and implementing procedures and systems to improve preparedness and response efforts of LEAs
Activities to address the unique needs of low-income students, including how outreach and service delivery will meet the needs of each population
Addressing learning loss among students, including addressing needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English Learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care by implementing evidence-based strategies and providing information and assistance to parents and families on how they can effectively support students
This facility meets the needs of all these areas. Hesperia High School is the HUSD high school that serves the highest percentage of low-income students and is the most diverse. They have not had a multi-use facility, like our other high schools, making it challenging for that population to participate in activities that engage them in school. This will provide a facility that will not only provide that access, without requiring transportation across the district or community, as well as provide a location for large group instruction, assembly, and community outreach to parents and families.
In addition, as the district has entered into the planning phase of the evidence-based, full-service
community schools mentioned in 18003(d), partnering with Providence St. Mary, IEHP, Department of Behavioral Health, and the Mountain-Desert Children’s Center from the beginning of this project, HUSD will be able to bring wrap-around services to students and the community. While HUSD is well-aware of the facility challenges across the district, this is a step in a larger effort to partner with community agencies and bring services closer to students and families.
“I am proud of the work of staff, particularly that of Dr. George Landon, Deputy Superintendent Business Services, and Dr. Michelle Smith, Assistant Superintendent Educational Services, to understand the intent of these funds and maximize their impact for the benefit of our students and community.” - Mr. Dave Olney HUSD Superintendent
We hope you will consider joining us for this exciting event!
