Renovations continue at Volta Elementary School as students return for the new school year. The renovations, which started at the end of 2024 as part of the Volta Elementary’s modernization project, are set to be completed by early November of this year.
The parking lot and administrative building are the main focus of the renovations. Contractors are also working on general modernization efforts throughout the academic facilities, including improved security, updates for independent study classrooms, an updated HVAC system, new windows and a full campus repaint.
The parking lot, which was previously all gravel, was set to be paved and expanded to hold 30 more parking spaces before the start of school on Aug. 12. However, the contractor’s discovery of previously unknown underground utilities during excavation delayed completion to the end of this September.
The school has an alternate drop-off point for parents on the south side of campus until the lot is complete.
District superintendent Sean Richey explained that these renovations have impacted students and parents.
“It’s impacted a lot. It’s one of those deals where, whenever you have to update or renovate existing facilities, there’s going to be an impact on the school day, especially the parking lot, on the pickup and drop-off,” said Richey.
A school has existed on the Volta Elementary School grounds since 1989. The current administration building, which began as the original three classrooms, has stood since 1959. Since then, the school has grown to include thirty classrooms.
Due to safety concerns caused by water damage in the walls and mold contamination, the administration building has been completely gutted. While being reconstructed, many services have been relocated to empty classrooms, including nursing and counseling services.
“The nice thing about all this, though, is when the renovations are done, it is going to centralize all of our services into one building,” said Richey.
The centralization of services, including a dedicated nurse’s office with direct bathroom access, creation of a central entry point and increased safety measures as benefits of the renovations are a few of the improvements noted in LBUSD’s Aug. 20 press release.
Currently, all underground utilities for building and site work have been completed, and the installation of new drywall, as well as plumbing and electrical infrastructure, is in progress.
Volta Elementary has made an effort to preserve elements of the school’s history during renovations, including the restoration of the school bell from Volta’s founding.
Principal Matthew Thomas shared that the school has planned to reincorporate the restored bell since they began renovations.
“When we were going through the design process, we wanted to make sure to bring it back. So as part of the design, it’s going to be right out in front of the school. The architect who worked with us on the project created a new pedestal reminiscent of the original well tower of the original 1898 school,” said Thomas.
Later this year, current students will also have the opportunity to contribute to a time capsule that will be placed under the new bell tower.
Despite the ongoing construction, Volta Elementary celebrated its first day of school on Aug. 12 with the first of its three annual flag ceremonies.
Members of the VFW, American Legion and the Women’s Auxiliary led the ceremony, raising the American flag. Following the ceremony, members spoke to students about their time in the service.
“They’re amazing, and we love that they are always excited to come out,” said Thomas.
Attending members of the district office also spoke to students about their roles in the district and how they support Volta students.
During the ceremony, Principal Thomas read a poem from Helen Jones, a past teacher and principal at Volta Elementary. Since Volta staff discovered the poem in a copy of the 1959-1960 yearbook, Thomas has read the poem to students each year on the first day.
“The memories you are making today
Forever and ever, with you will stay.
Keep up the good work, one and all,
Be kind, be good to the aged and small.
It costs so little to be polite and kind,
Your reward: Happy memories, many friends, and a peaceful mind.”
