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Community pushes again for Huron high school as district cites costs and state approvals
Summary
Residents and students urged the Coalinga-Huron Unified board to pursue a Huron high school; the superintendent reviewed feasibility, estimating a phased build at roughly $128.5 million and outlining required state approvals while trustees voiced concern about funding and bonding capacity.
Community members pressed the Coalinga-Huron Unified School District board on the long‑running demand for a Huron high school at the district's board meeting.
Several residents spoke during public comment asking trustees to prioritize the project and pursue funding. Ruben Rodriguez said the community has 50 acres available for a campus and offered to meet with trustees; he called for “full transparency” and urged the district to continue talks with state officials who have previously expressed support. “I show up and I'm voicing my frustration… I'm going to ****** one of these chicken nuggets because I'm starving because I'm dying,” Rodriguez said, summarizing the anger parents described over unmet needs.
The superintendent revisited prior demographic and feasibility work dating to 2022–2023. District presenters said current enrollment is about 4,379–4,434 students against a net classroom capacity of 5,669 (a utilization rate near 78.2%), and the district has trended below earlier projections. A phased concept presented in May 2023 would have built an initial school for roughly 405 students for about $33.2 million and a full high school expansion adding facilities for up to 972 students at an additional estimated $95.3 million, producing a combined estimate of roughly $128.5 million to complete the project.
Staff outlined a lengthy, multi‑agency approval process required for any new school site, including California Department of Education (CDE) site review, Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) grant processes, Division of the State Architect (DSA) plan review and inspections, and Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) environmental clearance. The presentation also noted bond proceeds are typically applied to expanding or maintaining buildings rather than new construction, and that state matching funds have eligibility rules and local funding requirements.
Several trustees said they support the community's desire but emphasized fiscal constraints. President Culbertson said she wants a high school but “I can't vote for something if we don't have the money” and said the district currently lacks bonding capacity to finance such construction without additional revenue streams. Other trustees and several community speakers urged a proactive, intentional approach — holding joint meetings with the City of Huron to secure land transfers, forming a committee to pursue funding, and following up with state officials who previously visited the community.
No formal project authorization or funding appropriation was made at the meeting. Trustees approved routine consent and business items later in the agenda; the superintendent agreed to follow up with state contacts and to continue reporting progress to the board. The district's next procedural steps, as described in the presentation, include reconvening site‑selection planning, obtaining any necessary environmental clearances, and pursuing state funding avenues if eligible.
The board did not adopt a resolution or take a final vote to commit funds for construction; rather, the meeting produced an exchange of community demands, a staff feasibility update and a promise of further staff follow‑up.
