Of the seven campuses in Willow Glen targeted for renovation, only Gardner Academy remains to be completed.

Carmen Mahood, assistant principal at Willow Glen High School—which has been under renovation for three years—expressed her delight that the construction has come to an end. "We've been living in mud; it's sort of like camping. We're really, really happy that the landscaping is over. We've got lawn and trees. It looks beautiful."

In June 1997, San Jose voters approved Measure C, allotting a $165 million bond for renovations for 42 of the district's elementary, middle and high schools. At about the same time, the state was issuing grants to school districts on a first-come-first-serve basis for renovations. The San Jose Unified School District was awarded $66 million, bringing the district's refurbishment budget to $231 million.

In accordance with state law, a citizen bond oversight committee was formed to ensure that the bond's money was spent properly and that the project stayed on track.

The oversight committee held its quarterly meeting Oct. 23 at the San Jose Unified School District office. As a brief overview, John Cimino, a manager in the school facilities and construction department, said that one of the original ideas behind Measure C was to bring the campuses into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. But when school officials learned how dilapidated some campuses were, they worked to get a bond passed.

Referring to the state grant, Cimino said, "We were fortunate. We really wanted to beat [the Los Angeles Unified School District] because they always get the most money."

Cimino said that the district was hoping to get at least $28 million from the state. "We were very fortunate to get that $66 million," Cimino said after the meeting. "It far exceeded our expectations."

Providing construction status reports were representatives from the district's two hired construction management firms, Kitchell Inc. and PCM3.

Dave Gianelli and Bob Fuselier of Kitchell quickly read through their status report, in which Willow Glen Middle School and Willow Glen High School are listed among the completed campuses.

PCM3 representatives Craig Rouse and Cheryl Butterton's status report showed that Gardner Academy is in the bidding stage until Nov. 3. Until that date contractors or vendors can bid to do the construction on the project. PCM3's report said that construction should begin in 2003 but didn't specify when.

"We're really pleased with what we've been able to accomplish," said Ty Williams, another of the district's managers of facilities and construction.

Karen Linville, assistant principal at Gardner Academy, said she wishes she could be around to appreciate whatever refurbishment the school will undergo.

"Assistant principals rotate every few years," Linville said. "I was at the last two schools they did construction on and it was wonderful."

Mahood is certainly enjoying her refurbished high school.

"New furniture is arriving now," Mahood said. "Students are really happy that the school looks like a school. I've heard from people who attended the high school 50 years ago, and they say the school looks better now than when they were going here."