FULLERTON

More than 10 years in the works, the Fullerton School District’s $28-million modernization project will reach a milestone today when 200 students move back into eight renovated classrooms at the Hermosa Drive School.

Hermosa Drive is the first of 12 schools undergoing modernization to be completed. Golden Hill School will come closer to completion when 80 second-graders move back into four renovated classrooms today. Construction will then begin on five remaining classrooms at Golden Hill, with the whole project there expected to be complete in about a month.

The modernization project is expected to be done at the other 10 schools by the end of the school year, said Patricia Godfrey, assistant superintendent for business services. When the work is complete, the schools will have new air conditioning, carpets and lighting. Other additions include new phone lines for Internet access, more electrical outlets, magnetic dry-erase marker boards to replace chalkboards and the upgrading of some restrooms.