Sometime next year, changes will be made across the Diamond Bar High School campus as a result of bond Measure WV.  

Currently, the district still needs to sell bonds and draw up construction plans before launching any reconstruction work, according to DBHS principal Reuben Jones.

The previous bond Measure O was struck down by district voters last year, only to be placed back on the ballot within months by the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees under the new name Measure WV.

Sixty-four percent of voters voted yes for Measure WV — a significantly higher amount than the required 55 percent.

Thus, the district will be granted over $152 million to improve school facilities and security.

 A large portion of the funds, over $60 million, will be allotted to Diamond Bar High School.

The main reason why so much money is designated to DBHS is because the school has had very few renovations since its creation.  Despite being built in 1982, DBHS’s campus has remained largely unchanged, and much of the equipment is outdated as well.  

Together, district Superintendent Robert Taylor and his team have committed to modernizing DBHS.

According to the principal, the school intends to work on three big projects first: a new band building, science building and library.

The band building will be situated on the black-top next to the tennis courts.  

Although there are currently some portables in the area, they will be removed to clear space for the new construction.  

The 500 building will be modified into a Science Technology Facility, while the 400 building will accommodate the new Library Media Center in addition to more classrooms.  

Roofing repair, technology upgrades, restroom renovations and the installation of additional security cameras will also be completed.

While the 400 and 500 buildings are undergoing construction, displaced classes will be held in portables.  

They will be located on the grass by the softball and Junior Varsity baseball fields.

“Moving the students and teachers to portable classrooms is going to be difficult.  There will be a lot of changes made in a short time, but it will result in a better school environment overall,” Principal Reuben Jones said.

The selection of the Citizen’s Oversight Committee — responsible for overseeing the project and its progress — was coordinated by the superintendent and the district office.  The committee was formed after an application process and numerous interviews.

Though the district has to make progress on 15 campuses at the same time, DBHS will be one of the first they work on, according to Jones.