Community renews calls for Huron high school as district outlines costs, approvals and barriers

Community members pressed the Coalinga‑Huron Unified School District on the long‑running effort to build a Huron high school while district leaders laid out fiscal and regulatory hurdles that make construction unlikely in the near term.

Speakers from Huron told trustees they have repeatedly sought a high school and said the land exists. Ruben Rodriguez, a community resident, called for transparency and dialogue and said the community has 50 acres identified for the project. Shelley Ross, who identified herself as a long‑time resident, said repeated studies and state reviews have concluded the same barriers: "no money, no land, no sustainability," and urged civility in debate.

In a detailed presentation, Interim Superintendent Raul Garza and staff summarized demographic analyses and financing options. The district reported current enrollment around 4,379–4,434 students against a net classroom capacity of about 5,669 (utilization roughly 78%). Staff reviewed a May 2023 conceptual two‑phase plan that estimated Phase 1 (a smaller campus) at about $33.2 million and Phase 2 (full high school expansion) at about $95.3 million, for a combined estimate of roughly $128.5 million. Garza and district staff walked through the multiple agencies and approvals required — including California Department of Education site approval, the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) funding processes, Division of the State Architect (DSA) plan reviews, Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) environmental clearances and CEQA compliance, and Department of Industrial Relations labor compliance — noting each step can take months to years and that state funding eligibility depends on meeting specific thresholds.

Trustees and community members disagreed about the best approach. Several trustees emphasized fiscal responsibility and said the district currently lacks the bond capacity or other guaranteed funding sources needed to proceed; a trustee said she would not "bankrupt this district" by approving construction without funding. Members of the public urged the district to pursue joint meetings with the City of Huron, form a working committee, and press state officials who previously visited the community for concrete commitments. Multiple speakers urged Superintendent Garza to follow up with state leaders previously contacted, including Tony Thurman and Ana (Anna) Caballero, and to lead coordination rather than relying solely on community fundraising.

The board did not vote to authorize construction or a new feasibility study at this meeting. Trustees committed to continued dialogue and to meeting with community representatives; staff stressed that, even with identified land and local advocacy, major funding and regulatory approvals would be required before construction could proceed.

The district presentation and public comments set the stage for a planned follow‑up meeting between trustees, administration and Huron community leaders.