Page 6 - Reedley Exponent 7-26-18 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent A6 Thursday, July 26, 2018
RMCHS Continued from page A1
basedonstudentneed. Phase II will accommodate 600 stu- dents.
RMCHS is a dual-enroll- ment program that offers students a chance to take high school classes while earning college credits at the same time, free of charge. Most students graduate from RMCHS with at least one year of college already completed.
Of the 32 seniors that graduated from RMCHS in 2018, 31 will be attending col- lege, according to the school website.
Graduates who plan to at- tend Reedley College “should be graduating and transfer- ring to a four year university after one or two semesters,” the website states.
RMCHS initially offered classes for students pursu- ing a career in agricultural business or business admin- istration. The school now of- fers two additional courses of study — general science and general education.
“This is a great program,” Quinto said. “It opens the door for students to have ac- cess to higher education.”
RMCHS has received state accolades for its programs.
In the meantime, Kings Canyon Unified School Dis- trict has plans to reconfig- ure the Reedley High School campus to make the best use of limited space and upgrade some of the facilities. This includes demolition of the vacated district office build- ing and transportation yard on the north side of campus.
Concept plans have been developed by Integrated De- signs by SOMAM in Fresno. The project is now in the design phase, awaiting fi- nal approval by the KCUSD governing board. Quinto said the school district is in the process of securing grants and developing a cash man- agement plant to fund the project which he estimates to cost $24 million.
The project — which would provide more green space — is proposed in three phases. Plans include more parking; a new practice soc- cer field; a varsity baseball
Jon Earnest / The Exponend
Alejandro Juarez, left, administrator for Reedley Middle College High School, stood with Ron Pack, principal of educational options. They checked out the layout of future classrooms at RMCHS on Juarez’s smartphone while touring the second floor of the primary campus building.
HEAT
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tion work. Crews working on the Luke Trimble splash park project, Reed Avenue resurfacing and Reed- ley Middle College High School construction have been working early morn- ing hours and then halting work or taking breaks dur- ing the hottest part of the afternoon.
The California Inde- pendent System Operator Corporation this week may issue further flex alerts calling for a voluntary re- duction in electricity by users from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The flex alerts are an effort to prevent power outages when the state’s grid comes under stress during peak hours of the day. A flex alert had been scheduled earlier in the week.
The Independent Sys- tem Operators advises res- idents to keep their ther- mostat set at 78 degrees or higher and turn it off when away from home. They also ask to turn off unnecessary lights and appliances and to limit major appliance use to the morning or late evening.
COX
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in many regions far outstrip workers’ ability to afford them.
“My focus is we have water for our farms, that we have lower gasoline costs, making management of the state better so it’s affordable and livable for all Californians,” Cox said. “Those forgotten Califor- nians who Gavin Newsom doesn’t care a whit about. I care about the people of this state having a tough time making it in California. That we do something about ... housing so people can af- ford to live in this state.”
Newsom visited an In- ternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers appren- ticeship training program in Fresno on July 17.
field with stadium seating; a new softball field; an upgrade to the agriculture depart- ment, including a new farm, classrooms and show arena; and improvements to Reedley High’s ceramics building.
Quinto said the school district would also like to find a new home for Kings Canyon Adult School which is on the Reedley High cam- pus.
A large cell tower on the
corner of Manning and Reed Avenues poses problems for the reconfiguration plans. The tower was erected in 1968. District officials are in talks with different parties to find a solution.
Jon Earnest / The Exponent
Quinto said the Reedley High site improvements will give KCUSD students access to quality facilities that they deserve — facilities that are practical, functional and “look classy.”
Artist Rendering courtesy of Integrated Design
ABOVE: This artist’s rendering shows the Reedley Middle College High School site, which is on the northwest corner of the Reedley College campus. Construction is expected to be completed by February.
LEFT: A cellphone tower is pictured to the north of the present Reedley High School varsity softball dias- mond. Both sites are part of reconfiguration plans for the Reedley High campus.
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