$21-million project funded by Measure G bond money

The new two-story student union/cafeteria and library. The updates and amenities include a digital display wall, solar fins, ceiling fans, and operable glass walls and windows. Photo by Marty Cheek

By Kaylee Arca

After 4.5 years of anticipation, Britton Middle School has unveiled its state-of-the-art $21-million Student Union, a landmark building that promises to revolutionize the educational experience for students and the community alike.

Ribbon cutting to officially open Britton School’s Student Union. Photo by Kaylee Arca

On a cloudy June 3 morning during the last week of school,  the Morgan Hill United School District held a ribbon cutting where students and dignitaries got their first glimpse of  the new landmark sitting at the campus corner of Monterey Road and Keystone Avenue. The project was funded by the Measure G bond passed by voters in 2012.

MHUSD Superintendent Carmen Garcia welcomed the gathered crowd.

“This project has been a team effort of current and former staff and trustees,” she said. “We aligned our vision to provide a 21st-century space for our students.”

The Student Union stands two stories. The first floor hosts a large, open seating area and the cafeteria where students can pick up free, healthy meals for brunch and lunch. The library is on the second floor. Students can also find quiet study areas in the multimedia space.

“It’s a flexible space that can be used for lunch, school gatherings, or by the community,” said Denise Flatly, senior project manager of the LPA Design Studios, the San Jose-based architecture firm that conceived the building’s plans.

The updates and amenities in the Student Union include a digital display wall that can be used for presentations, solar fins lining the outside of the building, ceiling fans, and operable glass walls and windows to allow integration with the outdoors and airflow.

The ability to open up the Student Union will reduce the need for air conditioning systems, traditionally used in closed buildings.

The Student Union invests in creating a welcoming and encouraging environment for students to learn. The original campus was built about 75 years ago in the 1950s, and this new structure should last another 75 years, Flatley said.

Interior of the new Student Union. Photo by Kaylee Arca

Groups and members of the community will be able to rent out the Student Union outside of school hours.

“I think having beautiful spaces like this changes the way we look at education and the way the kids look at their faculty as well,” said Nanette Donahue, Britton principal. “That’s made a huge impact for our students with their academics, social, emotional, and behavioral attendance, everything that’s made them want to come and stay.”

Even though the school’s eighth graders will not be able to use the new building as they will be going on to high school, they were able to take a special guided tour of the spaces.

“I got to experience this before a few other kids, and I’ve got to admit it’s really nice,” said Noah Cislo, a graduating eighth grader. “I’m jealous of the sixth and seventh graders because they get to experience this a lot more than me.”

The next Measure G renovations at Britton will be t the gymnasium and retrofitting the administration building to become the band room.

Kaylee Arca is a Morgan Hill-based freelance reporter.