Asphalt being replaced at Jefferson Elementary

Darleene Barrientos

Students were not the cause of the commotion on Jefferson Elementary

School’s blacktop for once Tuesday. This time it came from

construction trucks breaking up and scooping away the asphalt, in

preparation for a new surface.

The construction began just four days after the first day of

school at Jefferson Elementary, the only school in the district with

a year-round schedule that is the same for all students.

But students were not too worried about a lack of access to their

blacktop until August, they said, because the alternative activities

provided by teachers and administrators are just as fun.

“It’s kind of the same because recess is still good,” 10-year-old

Andre Davidian said. “We have a lot of new stuff to play with.”

During lunch and recess, students have occupied themselves with

hula-hoops, jumping rope and board games on the school’s grassy

areas, 11-year-old Eddie Mercado said.

“And, it’s good because we’ll get a new playground,” Eddie said.

The installation of a new blacktop at the school is part of the

campus’ Measure K work. Measure K is a $186-million bond approved by

voters in 1997 to renovate and modernize the Glendale Unified School

District’s 30 campuses.

With Tuesday’s temperatures reaching into the 90s, the repaving

project also works in the favor of both the students and the

construction workers. “It is actually a great way to have kids have a

lot of activities where they’re not running around too much,”

Principal Rosa Alonso said.

For the construction workers, asphalt is best applied when it’s

hot, said Patrick Kennedy, the district’s director of facilities

planning procurement and contract services.

The plan is to install a 6-inch sub-base under 4 inches of

asphalt, which will all be sealed and striped within about six weeks.

When asphalt is applied in hot weather, it cures better, Kennedy

said.

“The asphalt is about 60 years old and it has been repaired from

time to time, but it was put on straight earth, which is why it was

cracking,” Kennedy said. “Hopefully, this will take care of it for

future generations.”

Tyner Paving of Los Angeles is doing the $169,980 project, which

will also repave the campus’ driveway and campus areas.

* DARLEENE BARRIENTOS covers education. She may be reached at

(818) 637-3215 or by e-mail at darleene.barrientoslatimes.com.