October 17, 2023 – Clovis Unified School District broke ground on their sixth high school and intermediate school, the Terry P. Bradley Educational Center.
The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Assistant Superintendent of Terry P. Bradley Educational Center, Dr. Stephanie Hanks while heavy machinery worked in the distance.
Every single seat was filled, and many people stood all around the ceremony to hear the speeches.
There were several people seated on the platform, each of whom are important to this massive project.
After welcoming those in attendance, Dr. Hanks introduced Clovis High School Inter School Council President, Karis Fisher. Fisher offered her own welcoming speech before the Posting of Colors.
Clovis Unified Air Force JROTC student representatives from Clovis East High School and Clovis High School presented the Posting of Colors.
Also in attendance were Retired Lieutenant Colonel Walter Miller and Retired Master Sergeant Patrick K. Latour Jr., both from the United States Air Force.
Once the JROTC presented the flags, Clovis West High School’s Inter School Council Volunteer Coordinator Sofia McComas led the pledge of allegiance.
Clovis East High School’s choir sang the Star-Spangled Banner, under the direction of Choral Director Allison Crose.
Dr. Hanks went on to acknowledge the honoree and several specific guests before the special remarks began.
The special remarks speakers included CUSD; Governing Board President David DeFrank, Superintendent Dr. Corrine Folmer, Buchanan High School Inter School Council Vice PresidentAvery Chaney, and of course the center’s namesake—retired Superintendent Dr. Terry P. Bradley.
Dr. Bradley served CUSD for 34 years in several business and financial roles before becoming superintendent from 2002 to 2009.
The former superintendent spoke with a high degree of sincerity, and made the crowd laugh wholeheartedly multiple times. He spoke fondly of everyone he had come in contact with who played a role in the state of CUSD today.
“I’ve done a lot of consulting work with a lot of districts; large districts, small districts, rural districts . . . and one of the things that I’ve learned is [that] everyone has great people. Everyone really, really does have good people who are dedicated to a great education for their kids,” said Dr. Bradley.
“But there are some things that make a district different, and I think it can be boiled down into three terms. One of them is stability, another one is doing the right thing, and the third one is maintaining your culture.”
Harris Construction President Michael Spencer and PBK Architects President Roy Montalbano both came up to the podium for a brief speech and special presentation.
Before the closing remarks, the Clovis East High School choir performed a song titled “Bluebird.”
Dr. Stephanie Hanks closed out the ceremony and directed the crowd to the groundbreaking area where several of the special guests officially broke ground.
The new Educational Center will be home to Clovis South High School and the yet-to-be-named intermediate school. It’ll be located on Leonard Avenue between Shields and McKinley, and it is set to open in Fall 2025.