Dear HUSD Families and Community,
Thanks to your incredible support of HUSD's bond measures, the District is undertaking some exciting construction projects over the summer.
The first involves the main entrance and front facade of Healdsburg Elementary School. The main building at HES was constructed in the 1920’s, and is a beautiful historic building and is accompanied by fittingly historic challenges.
One clear issue is the main entrance’s lack of access for anyone with a physical disability or impediment. As a result, we are redoing the main entrance along with landscaping and sidewalks at the front of the school, which will result in new stairs, a ramp, and new seating areas and landscaping. All of this is being done in a way that maintains the historical character of the building while updating accessibility to current standards. This project will also incorporate converting all on-campus irrigation into a recycled water system.
The second project is the reimagining of the iconic Grove at HHS, which was planted in 1966 with native Coastal Redwood Trees. Though a native species, Redwoods have sprawling, shallow root systems that rely upon the ability to absorb a large amount of moisture. Unfortunately, we've found that the Redwoods' roots had grown under Smith Robinson gym and were disturbing the floor’s foundation, which prompted the removal of the roots. That, coupled with their sheer size and need for moisture in a place that was largely paved or featured buildings brought about inevitable failure.
The Grove, despite our best irrigation efforts, became diseased and one by one trees started to require removal. As a result, we will be redoing the Grove this summer. Instead of Redwoods, it will feature pistache and native Western Redbud trees, both of which have deeper root systems more conducive to placement in a parking lot around buildings. We will also incorporate seating areas, turf mounds and native plantings to tie it in with the rest of the campus and create an inviting space for students and classes to congregate. It is our hope that the essence of the Grove will live on and that we will have a space that is conducive to not only socializing, but learning outdoors. This project will also incorporate repaving the front parking area and creating a more visible entry on Powell Street.
Thank you for your continued support of our schools. We're looking forward to sharing these exciting upgrades with our community at the end of the summer!
