Etiwanda School District dedicates modernized building

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Before you walk into the Etiwanda School District's Education Center you might notice a couple of changes.

Aside from the fact it is now a two-story building, one of the major additions is an engraved brick walkway at the entrance recognizing former students, as well as staff and district members and retirees who have served the district.

"It feels very good that he's remembered even after all these years," said Isabel Campos of the remembrance brick with her son's name of it.

Isabel Campos' son, Eddie Villa Jr. was an Etiwanda Intermediate student who died of cancer in December 1999.

Isabel Campos was one of 100 community members, district staff and employees and city and state officials who attended the dedication ceremony for the modernized Etiwanda Education Center on Monday.

The new Etiwanda Education Center is an addition to the existing district office which was the East Avenue school site first occupied in 1973.

The two-story addition was designed for office space for current and future staff and contains the personnel, instruction, special education and professional development departments.

Extra space will be used for district nurses and records.

Standing at the brick paved entrance Superintendent Shawn Judson called the modernized office a "great place."

"It will be able to support and serve our staff and students for another 125 years," he said of the district which has been a part of the community for that period of time.

Judson pointed a few of his favorite features, including the way the new building compliments the old building, the brick walkway and the large clock.

"It's great, you always associate clocks with school, so it makes sense it's in front of the building," he said.

After walking through the left wing of the center, Ted Campos, Eddie's stepfather, said he feels the new office will serve the community "much better."

"The large rooms will really be able to accommodate parents, meetings and the community," he said.

Both Isabel and Ted Campos said having a having a brick in honor of their son makes them feel honored.

"Eddied also has a remembrance tree at Etiwanda Intermediate and now with this brick it takes it up to another level," Ted Campos said.