March 28, 2025

The initial bond sales to fund the first phase of a multi-year renovation at Hughson High School have gone better than expected, Superintendent Brenda Smith said, meaning construction is on track to begin later this spring.

First up for upgrades are three classroom buildings – the 40 wing, the 30 wing and the 10 wing – plus the installation of new seating and carpet at the campus’ Ella Webb Theater. Phase 1 also includes new roofing, heating and air conditioning, as well as new blacktop and storm drainage improvements.

In total, the work is estimated to cost about $9 million. It will be paid for from the $46 million school construction bond Hughson voters passed in November.

“It’s super exciting for the community,” Smith said. “Hughson High has very old classrooms. Some are like when I went there 35 years ago.”

Work on the 40 wing – just west of the old gym – will begin in July and should be done by winter break. Three odd-shaped classrooms will be reworked to create five standard-size classrooms, Smith said. There will be new flooring, walls and paint. Bathrooms will receive new fixtures and paint, and stalls will be added.

The 30 wing just west of the campus office is second in line. Four classrooms will be modernized with new windows, flooring and exterior paint. Two other classrooms in the same wing already have been upgraded. Work should start next January and take three to six months, Smith said.

The 10 wing just east of the main office will be the final part of the first phase. There, 10 classrooms and the bathrooms will be modernized. Work is expected to start in the summer of 2026 and go into winter break.

During the work, the construction zones will be fenced off. Teachers and their students will temporarily relocate to other vacant classrooms.

Boyer Construction of Sonora is the general contractor for Phase 1. TPH Architects of Modesto is the designer.

Phase 2 of the overall project is expected to start in January 2026 and cost about $28 million. The highlights include the complete renovation of Husky Memorial Stadium and the construction of ag and science buildings that will include eight classrooms, two shops and bathrooms. That work should be done by the fall of 2027.

The $10 million third phase is projected to begin in July 2027 and take a year. It includes moving the district office and Maintenance, Operations and Transportation Department to district farm property to open up space for Ross Middle School and Hughson Elementary School. Also part of Phase 3 are new animal pens and bathrooms on farm property, additional student parking at the high school and upgraded lighting at the sports complex.

Smith said the initial bond sales have gone well. Because of the district’s strong financial position and consistent enrollment growth, Moody’s credit service upgraded Hughson’s bonds to “Aa2” from “Aa3.” That’s good news from Hughson’s landowners, who will pay slightly less on their property taxes to service the debt on the new bonds.

Smith called the improved bond rating a “significant achievement, particularly in today’s challenging environment where many California school districts are facing rating downgrades due to declining enrollment and financial pressures.”