Robots help break ground on Bond renovations at Canutillo High School

Robots helped launch a new era at Canutillo High School on Tuesday as students used machines they built to break through a ceremonial wall, officially kicking off $16.4 million in renovations at the flagship campus under the 2024 Canutillo Bond.

The student-designed robots, cheered on by classmates, staff, and community members, took the place of golden shovels in a groundbreaking ceremony that captured both the spirit of innovation and the excitement surrounding the project.

The bond, approved earlier this year, will bring sweeping upgrades to Canutillo High School, which first opened in 2006 and is now in need of modernization. Improvements include a secure entry vestibule, new fire alarms and public address systems, state-of-the-art security cameras, roofing repairs, upgraded HVAC systems, wireless connectivity enhancements, and fine arts updates. Renovations also include upgrades to the robotics and healthcare career and technical education (CTE) classrooms.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Jesica Arellano told the crowd the renovations are about more than repairing aging systems.

“Just like a family home that has been well lived in, our high school needs care,” Arellano said. “This bond allows us to fix roofs, update technology, modernize safety features, and provide classrooms where students can focus and thrive. But more importantly, it creates an environment that inspires learning, builds confidence, and prepares our Eagles for the future.”

Canutillo High has already seen upgrades to its baseball and softball fields through the bond. The next phase of construction will touch nearly every classroom and every student on campus. District leaders said the improvements were made possible through strong community support during the bond election. Construction for the outstanding Bond work should take about a year. 

For Principal Candace Marrufo, the robotics-themed ceremony was the perfect way to show what the investment in CTE means for students.

“In our robotics labs, students are designing and programming machines that can perform complex tasks,” Marrufo said. “In our healthcare classrooms, they are learning skills that will one day save lives. These are not just electives. These are life-changing experiences.”

Marrufo said the upgrades will help students turn curiosity into careers by giving them access to facilities that match their ambitions.

“The bond investment in robotics and healthcare will inspire innovation and prepare students for some of the fastest-growing fields,” she said. “And what better way to celebrate that than by letting our students show us what they are capable of with the very robots they built?”

The 2024 Canutillo Bond is the largest per-capita school bond ever approved in El Paso County. District officials said it represents more than bricks and mortar — it is an investment in the community’s children and future.

As the paper wall came crashing down with the help of student-built machines, cheers erupted from the drumline, cheerleaders, dancers, and dozens of supporters gathered to witness the event. The moment captured the pride and optimism that district leaders hope will carry forward throughout the construction process.

Arellano said the project demonstrates what Canutillo is all about: preparing students for a rapidly changing world.

“When we talk about safety, we are talking about peace of mind for families,” she said. “When we talk about HVAC systems, we are talking about students who can concentrate instead of fanning themselves in the heat. And when we talk about technology, we are talking about ensuring every student leaves here ready for the world that awaits them.”

For Canutillo High, the groundbreaking marked more than the start of construction. It was a celebration of students’ creativity, families’ trust, and a community’s belief in its schools.

“Because of this bond, the future is bright for Canutillo High School,” Marrufo said.