Congressman Joe Baca, D-Rialto, thanked the Colton Joint Unified School District Board of Education for unanimously voting to name a new middle school in his honor.

The school board voted 7-0 to name the new Middle School #5 “Joe Baca Middle School.”

Rep. Baca appreciates the support of board president Mel Albiso and board

members Robert Armenta, Patt Haro, Frank Ibarra, Marge Mendoza Ware, Kent Taylor and David Zamora.

“I am humbled by this honor and energized to continue my work for the children and families of the 43rd Congressional District,” said Rep. Baca. “I firmly believe that education is the key to a sound future, and throughout my career in public service I have always strived to ensure that young people in the Inland Empire are given the best educational opportunities possible.”

The new school will be located at 1640 South Lilac Avenue in the city of Rialto. There will be a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23. Construction is expected to be completed in late spring or early summer 2012, and ready to open for students in time for the start of the 2012-2013 school year.

The Colton Joint Unified School District is excited about the new middle school. On the west end of the district, there are two middle schools south of the 10 Freeway but no middle schools north of the freeway. The new school will save many students from having to cross the freeway to get to school.

The school will be built on a vacant 14-acre site at the corner of Valley Boulevard and Lilac Avenue.

The 159,000 square foot campus will be for 7th and 8th grade students. It will have 50 classrooms with a capacity for 1,325 students.

Rep. Baca looks forward to building on the strong partnership he has established with the Colton Joint Unified School District. Congressman Baca’s career in public service began more than 30 years ago in the education field. In 1979, he became the first Latino elected to the Board of Trustees for the San Bernardino Valley College District.

“In Congress, I will continue to work for a world in which our children can grow up safely, pursue an education and accomplish their goals,” concluded Rep. Baca. “Through our cooperative efforts, we can improve the quality of education for all students.”