January 14, 2025

Starting this summer, get ready for plenty of much-anticipated facilities projects to begin at Hughson High.

The work will take place in three phases over the next 2½ years and will involve upgrades to and modernizations of classrooms and restrooms, new seating in the Ella Webb Theater, renovations to Husky Memorial Stadium, the construction of a two-story ag and science building, and the relocation of the district office and Maintenance, Operations and Transportation Department.

All the projects were made possible by voters’ passage of Measure B in November, a $46 million school bond that will pay for the work. Measure B needed at least 55% support to pass and received 59.5%.

“We are excited about the future of Hughson High School and the positive impact this bond will have on our students,” Superintendent Brenda Smith wrote in a thank you letter to the community in December.

The first phase includes renovations to 20 classrooms in the 10, 30 and 40 wings. Smith described it as a “rolling modernization” in which a few rooms at a time will be renovated so students and teachers can still use the other ones. Some of the existing classrooms are large, so new walls will be added to create two rooms out of one.

Tackling Husky Memorial Stadium – the site of football games and other athletic events, plus graduation – has long been on the district’s wish list. The makeover will touch almost everything in the stadium, from the bleachers and press box to restrooms and concession stands to the field and lighting. District leaders believe it has been more than 50 years since the stadium was last renovated.

One of the most ambitious parts of the construction plans will start in July 2026 when ground is broken on a two-story ag and science building, which will go up where the current ag classrooms and shops are.

Smith said plans still are being finalized for some aspects of all the projects. Separate committees of community members, staff and administrators are visiting other high schools in Ripon, Manteca and Galt to see other combined ag/science buildings as well as stadiums in Ceres and Merced.

Measure B requires a citizen’s oversight committee to be formed. Members still are needed who represent a senior citizens’ group as well as a taxpayers’ association. Those interested should contact Chief Business Official Kristen Burkett at kburkett@hughsonschools.org or (209) 883-4428.

Here is a complete look at what is planned at the high school:

Phase 1

●        Renovate 20 classrooms (windows, walls, flooring, electrical, roofing)

●        Modernize two bathrooms

●        Replace seating in the Ella Webb Theater

●        Resurface blacktop on the campus

Projected cost: $8 million

Start: July 2025

Completion: Fall 2026

Phase 2

●        Renovate Husky Memorial Stadium

●        Replace bleachers and press box

●        Rebuild bathrooms and snack bar

●        Install new sod on field and upgrade irrigation system

●        Upgrade lighting

●        Make stadium ADA compliant

●        Construct two-story ag and science building

●        The new building will include eight classrooms, two shops and bathrooms

Projected cost: $28 million

Start: January 2026 (stadium), July 2026 (ag/science building)

Completion: Fall 2026 (stadium), Fall 2027 (ag/science building)

Phase 3

●        Move district office and Maintenance, Operations and Transportation Department to district farm property to open up space for Ross Middle School and Hughson Elementary School

●        Construct new animal pens and bathrooms on farm property

●        Add student parking at Hughson High School

●        Upgrade lighting at sports complex

Projected cost: $10 million

Start: July 2027

Completion: July 2028