MEDIA ADVISORY -- Morse High School Breaks Ground on Prop S Projects

Media Advisory from San Diego Unified School District, February 17, 2010

Morse High School Breaks Ground on First of Several
Prop. S and College, Career and Technical Education Projects

What: Groundbreaking Ceremony for Morse High School

When: Thursday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (rain or shine)

Where:
Morse High School, 6905 Skyline Drive, San Diego, CA 92114 (corner of 69th Street) (The ceremony will be held under a canopy in front of the school.)

Directions: I-805 to Imperial Ave., east to Valencia Pkwy., turn right at Skyline Dr. and turn left. or Hwy. 94 west, exit Lemon Grove Ave. (which becomes Imperial Ave. at Massachusetts St.); left on 69th St. to Skyline Dr. or Hwy. 94 east, exit Euclid Ave. south; left on Imperial Ave., right on 69th St. to Skyline Dr. (Note: 69th St. abruptly makes a right turn about three-fourths of the way up the hill. If you miss that turn, you are on Sychar Road, take Sychar Road to Skyline Dr. and turn right.)

Program:

Welcome: Stuart Markey, executive director of the Capital Improvement Bond Program; and Harry Shelton, principal (serving as emcees)

Presentation of Colors by Morse High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)

Pledge of Allegiance lead by Morse High School senior JROTC cadet

Remarks by speakers:

Richard Barrera, president, San Diego Unified School District Board of Education

Shelia Jackson, member, San Diego Unified School District Board of Education

Bill Kowba, interim superintendent, San Diego Unified School District

Glenn Hillegas, member, Prop. S Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee

Tony Young, member, San Diego City Council (tentative)

Shawn Loescher, director, College, Career and Technical Education

Award presentation by Abdur-Rahim Hameed, president of National Black Contractors Association

Breaking of ground

Background:
On Nov. 4, 2008, nearly 69 percent of the voters in San Diego passed the $2.1 billion general obligation bond measure, Proposition S, so that San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) could repair, renovate and revitalize 181 schools.

The local Proposition S funds are being used to match the state’s Proposition 1D Career, Technical Education grant monies so that SDUSD can provide new and/or renovated facilities to accommodate College, Career & Technical Education programs. At Morse High School, the programs include auto body, culinary arts and child development. Besides these projects, there will be stadium renovations/upgrades and a whole-site modernization project funded solely by Proposition S. All these projects represents a nearly $65 million investment into Morse High School and the Skyline community.

Visuals/
Media Availability
Interviews:
- Morse High School jazz band performing before and after the ceremony
- JROTC cadets presenting the colors and senior cadet leading the Pledge of Allegiance
- Award presentation by the Black Contractors Association
- Students and principal join dignitaries for breaking of ground and photos
- Guest speakers will be available for interviews before and after the ceremony

Media Contact:
Cynthia Reed-Porter, Prop S Communications Supervisor
Mobile: 619-857-6903
creed-porter@sandi.net