LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - One of Live Oak Unified School Districts larger campuses, Luther Elementary school, is in the process of getting much needed addition – a brand new cafeteria.

Construction started in early September right as the school year got underway, funded in part by a $14 million dollar bond the district first issued in 2016. According to LOUSD Superintendent Matt Gulbrandsen, as the tax base in the community grows and construction on new housing developments in the area begin, the district has been able to sell more bonds, at the issuance price of $59.00 for every $100,000 assessed in property value.

The 8,400 sq. foot cafeteria, which is located on the right-hand side of the school’s entrance, will accommodate a larger student population of 350, include a stage area for student programs and a large walk-in refrigeration area that will act as a hub for the district’s food program. In response to the much larger cafeteria and new stage area, Luther school’s Principal Parveen Baines says, “Our teachers and students are so excited. We do have a lot of programs and it allows us to accommodate everyone,” whereas the old cafeteria could not.

In addition to the cafeteria, construction of a new teacher parking area behind the complex will allot an estimated 75 additional spaces for the teaching staff, while allowing more parent and visitor parking out front in the main parking thoroughfare.

Principal Bains has some great ideas for the old facility. She is hoping that it can house Luther’s afterschool program or be utilized as an indoor recreation area during the rainy season as the campus does not have a gym facility. Although the project is expected to be completed by spring of 2020, Superintendent Gulbrandsen says the school will not begin using the new cafeteria until the fall.

Superintendent Gulbrandsen shares that the bond has not only made it possible for Luther to get its new cafeteria, but for the middle school to add its new gymnasium, completed earlier in the year, and for the High School to begin a 3-phase renovation of its stadium. Phase one of the project– new bleachers and seating -has already been completed and a new all-weather track is expected by next spring. Over the last 5 years, all three campuses in the district have been steadily improved through state funding. Some of the projects, in addition to the bond projects, include solar panel installation on all campuses, the addition of new wings at the middle school and at Luther a new track and field, blacktop, roof and paint at Luther school.

Gulbrandsen says that in the past, one of his biggest frustrations was that he felt the schools did not “physically represent the community.” As the much-needed renovations, additions and upgrades continue, he says that the campuses are becoming a “source of pride” physically representing pride of the community in which they are based.