New Schools And Renovations At The Heart Of Field Trip

BAKERSFIELD-- -- It's back to school time in Bakersfield and school administrators Tuesday gave the local media a lesson in economics.

The Bakersfield City School District took a special group on a tour of several schools that are in desperate need of renovation after nearly seven decades of use.

A $100 million bond measure is on the November ballot to fix up aging schools and build several new ones.

The state is offering matching funds to help with the overhaul.

"We are well aware of the conditions of our schools and what we need to do," said Michael Lingo, superintendent of the BCSD.

"The issue has been finding the funds for the things we need to do."

Many schools have lingering problems like leaky awnings, outdated fixtures and worn out portable classrooms.

Nearly 50 percent of students at John C. Fremont Elementary school are taught in portable classrooms.

If voters pass the bond measure, BCSD will be able to renovate 42 existing schools and build three more schools to ease overcrowding.

In the next five years, the district is expecting enrollment to jump by 1,500 students.