In 2006 San Mateo County voters approved Measure M, allowing the San Mateo Union High School District to use $298 million dollars to renovate the district’s high schools by upgrading the safety of buildings and replacing aged facilities. Aragon students can see these renovations at their school in the form of a new pool, theater, and solar panels.
Originally slated to finish on Jan. 24, 2011, the pool was finally completed in the first week of March in time for the opening meet of the swim season. The swim team has returned to their home pool, after having to practice at the College of San Mateo during the month of February.
In another aspect, Aragon’s new roof solar panels are expected to finish by the end of March if the project is not delayed any more by rain.
Similarly, the new theater is set to finish construction by December 2011.
Other planned construction projects at Aragon include the biotech building and the gym remodel, both of which have yet to start, due to the backlog of the State Department of Architecture, which must review and approve all designs. The construction of the Biotech building should begin in 2012, according to Assistant Principal Joe Mahood.
Students and staff alike have dealt with challenges from construction such as the lack of outside basketball courts needed for intramural sports due to theater construction, noise of solar panel installation, and parts of school being closed off due to general construction and concrete pouring. To compensate for the basketball issue, a temporary, portable basketball hoop has been set up in the tennis court area. When sections of the school are blocked off, teachers recognized that change in pathways could affect students’ timely arrival in class. However, the future completion of all construction projects should provide a major upgrade to the school.
