Congressman Paul Cook of Yucca Valley cut the ceremonial ribbon to commemorate the opening of the new Joshua Tree Elementary School. Cook was joined by approximately 25 students and more than 50 individuals from the community. The new building is located about a mile north of the previous Joshua Tree Elementary School, which was built on a newly discovered earthquake fault. The new school is located at 4950 Sunburst Avenue in Joshua Tree and will serve approximately 300 students when it opens this fall. Cook said, “It was exciting to be a part of the ribbon cutting for the new Joshua Tree Elementary School this morning. I got to see many of the children who will benefit directly from this new school. I’m glad to see this important project come to fruition, and I know that the building will benefit our children for generations to come.” While in the California State Assembly, Cook was instrumental in securing $4.5 million from the State Allocation Board for the construction of new classrooms to help build the new elementary school.
