Construction for new, Pueblo District 60 high school buildings almost 75% complete

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Pueblo District 60 is continuing renovations and construction for several schools throughout the city. While the new buildings won't be ready for students this year, construction is nearing its end.

The upgrades and new buildings are thanks to a voter-approved $218 million bond. Those funds allowed new buildings for two high schools to be built and safety and infrastructure upgrades at nine other schools.

Thanks to a state grant, three other schools were able to get new buildings.

Below are the five schools getting entirely new buildings:

1. Centennial High School
2. East High School
3. Franklin School of Innovation (funded through a state grant)
4. Nettie S. Freed Expeditionary K-8 School (funded through a state grant)
5. Sunset Park Elementary (funded through a state grant)

Most of the expenses have gone towards the construction of the new buildings for East and Centennial high schools. Each re-designed school cost an estimated $75.7 million.

The remaining funds have gone towards school infrastructural or safety upgrades, such as HVAC and electrical systems.

At East High School, most of the exterior renovations are complete and crews are now working on the interior. Work at Centennial High School is also almost complete.

The elementary schools are still in the construction process.

Below are the nine schools receiving new industrial or safety upgrades:

1. Central High School
2. South High School
3. Heaton Middle School
4. Pueblo Academy of Arts
5. Belmont Elementary School
6. Beulah Heights Elementary School
7. Highland Park Elementary School
8. Minnequa Elementary School
9. South Park Elementary School

According to D60, plumbing, sewer, electrical, and roof repairs are around 90% complete and are expected to be completed soon.

"We actually build the new schools to meet the demands of students that we have in our district. and so our older schools were actually very large and some cases too large to accommodate the student population they have. The schools are right-sized for the students we have in our district," said Dalton Sprouse, District 60.

The district said they had a surplus of money to construct another school. The school used to be Heros Elementary School, but now it will retain the name of Nettie S. Freed Expeditionary K-8 School.

All five schools are expected to be finished by the fall of 2023.

Click here for additional information on upgrades for each school.