Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s Office– On November 17, The U.S. Department of Defense was awarded over $78 million in federal funding to rebuild Richmond Elementary School at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake at Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s request. This award is part of the Fiscal Year 2019 Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act and Continuing Appropriations Act, which includes funding to improve public schools on military installations.
Congressman McCarthy released the following statement:
“While NAWS China Lake is on the cutting-edge of innovation, Richmond Elementary School is in need of significant improvements. This award will be used for a new, state-of-the-art school that will enhance the student experience and provide hardworking faculty and staff with tools for success. This updated facility will also advance recruitment efforts, offering our servicemembers and those who support the mission at China Lake peace of mind in knowing that their children are receiving a world-class education. Our kids are our future, and I will always work to enrich the lives of students and empower parents.”
Local stakeholders shared the following statements:
“We are so pleased to be awarded this much-needed grant to guarantee our students have the opportunity to learn in a world-class and safe school facility. Our staff and community partners greatly appreciate Congressman McCarthy’s leadership and our legacy partnership with NAWS China Lake in securing the funding for our new Richmond Elementary.” – Dave Ostash, Sierra Sands Unified School District Superintendent
“We have had a long, collaborative relationship with the OLDCC and I’m thrilled that we have been able to work together to bring this new, greatly anticipated asset for our community to fruition. I’d like to thank McCarthy, the OLDCC, and the phenomenal Sierra Sands staff for all of their efforts in bringing this home.”
– Kurt Rockwell, President of the Board for Sierra Sands Unified School District
Background:
The U.S. Department of Defense released a list, which ranks the top public schools on military installations with school facilities in need of improvement, which included Richmond Elementary School.
Rep. McCarthy secured $270 million in the Fiscal Year 2019 Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act and Continuing Appropriations Act (P.L. 115-245) to support school improvements on military bases.
The total project cost to rebuild Richmond Elementary School is $97,513,836, which is comprised of $78,011,069 in federal funding and a match of $19,502,767 in non-federal funding. Once complete, Richmond Elementary School will support 505 students per academic year.
Richmond Elementary School is the third school at NAWS China Lake that Rep. McCarthy has secured federal funding to renovate or rebuild. Previous grants were awarded to Murray Middle School and Burroughs High School.
Regionally, this year the Muroc Joint Unified School District celebrated the grand opening of three schools that have also been upgraded at Edwards Air Force Base – Branch and Bailey Elementary Schools and Desert Junior-Senior High School. You can find more information here. Rep. McCarthy secured $142 million in federal funding to support the rebuilding of these schools.
