Especially during a severe recession, the sight and sounds of bulldozers, cement mixers, hammers, and saws have been welcome at almost half of all Pomona Unified schools, which are undergoing renovation work this summer.

This summer's work is the second round of renovation and modernization projects taking place under Measure PS, a $235 million school-improvement bond approved by voters by 75 percent in Nov., 2008. Last summer's work included safety and "curb-appeal" projects at 11 schools. This year's work is taking place at 21 schools. Almost all projects should be completed before the first day of school.

"This is the last year that work will take place only in summer," explained Superintendent Richard Martinez. "Projects will be coming online faster now, so we'll have crews out at various schools through the school year. But we know how to do it in ways that won't disrupt the learning environment."

Work is now being wrapped up at the following schools: Decker Elementary; Diamond Point Elementary; Emerson Middle School; Fremont Academy of Engineering and Design; Garey Village (moving to Garey High campus); Garey High; Kellogg Polytechnic Elementary; Kingsley Elementary; Lexington Elementary; Lincoln Elementary; Lorbeer Middle School; Madison Elementary; Mendoza Elementary; Montvue Elementary; Palomares Academy of Health Sciences; Park West High; Philadelphia Elementary; Pomona High; Roosevelt Elementary; San Jose Elementary; and Washington Elementary.

Projects included new lighting, fencing, fire alarm systems and other safety improvements; new restrooms, new classrooms, and other buildings; roofing, paving, striping; painting, and cleaning; and landscaping improvements, including new irrigation systems.

Work still to come from Measure PS will include renovations and modernizations to support changing academic needs at the district's new small high schools (Fremont and Palomares academies), and its five newest Pre-K-8 schools.

"I hope our community is noticing all the improvements being made at our schools," said School Board President Richard Rodriguez. "They were very generous with their tax money, and we want to show them that we're being good stewards of that investment." The community can follow all Measure PS projects and progress on the PUSD website at www.pusd.org/measureps .