Arcadia Unified School District and high school officials unveiled a new $3.8 million library / media center and $2.5 million cafeteria Thursday afternoon (Feb. 19, 2015) that were funded by the $218 million facilities bond approved by Arcadia taxpayers in 2006.
AHS alum Mayor Pro Tem Gary Kovacic made a presentation with City Council Member Sho Tay alongside and introduced AHS alum elected City Clerk Gene Glasco. School Board President Lori Phillipi, Superintendent David Vannasdall and Principal Brent Forsee offered comments and the ribbon was cut and a new plaque unveiled that commemorates the renovated libary / media center.
The 12,500 square-foot library, a hybrid between traditional and high-tech/modern, is 4,000 square-feet bigger and includes student conference rooms, a media center, staff lounge, student lounge, seven HiDef smart television monitors for student collaboration on projects. Talking and working together is encouraged, not discouraged.
Just a few yards away in the revamped quad area, the new Apache Cafe has an additional 1,700 square feet and is equipped with all new kitchen equipment, four high-efficiency AC units, two HiDef televisions, a drop-down projector screen, and a Robeks Juice Bar. The juice bar is believed to be the first in the country to provide custom-order and healthy juice at a public school.
(More photos below…)
— By Scott Hettrick
L-R: Superintendent David Vannasdall; School Board members Fenton Eng, Cung Nguyen; President Lori Phillipi; Vice President Kay Kinsler; Board Clerk Janet Chew
School board with construction team overseen by Asst Superintendent Christina Aragon (purple jacket) with Jim Leahy (behind Christina).
L-r: Mayor ProTem Gary Kovacic, Superintendent David Vannasdall, Council Member Sho Tay
Left: School Board member Fenton Eng; Center: City Clerk Gene Glasco (red tie)
Principal Brent Forsee
School Board President Lori Phillipi
