Though the first new high school in Los Banos in more than 40 years was not 100 percent complete on its opening day, officials said its construction could not have gone much better.</p><p>Steve Tietjen, superintendent of the Los Banos Unified School District, said the final price tag for Pacheco High School's construction is anticipated to come in at about $500,000 less than the $62.8 million budget.</p><p>The school opened Monday with 69 classrooms for an enrollment of 797 students. However, some construction was still under way. </p><p>Tietjen said the steps for the school's theater needed to be redesigned for safety and aesthetic reasons, and so the construction crew only received the approval for the new plans two weeks ago.</p><p>"After seeing it, I didn't think the original design was going to suit the kinds of uses that we're going to have," Tietjen said. "The original design was really just for student use, and we really see this as a community-use facility."</p><p>A number of the tools inside the agricultural complex have yet to be installed, Tietjen said. He said he anticipates the ag complex to be ready by the end of next week.</p><p>"If you were to walk into the (ag complex) rooms, you'd see that they look finished," Tietjen said. "But, there's still detail work to be done."</p><p>The bleachers and stadium walkways are being installed and are expected to be ready before football season opens. Also, the gate to the school's pool must be widened.</p><p>Tietjen said it is typical for a high school project to not be completely finished when opened. He said the construction team, Poindexter & Associates and F & H Construction Inc., did a good job.</p><p>"It's really been great," Tietjen said.</p><p>Brett Lee, Pacheco High's principal, said the places where campus construction is ongoing have not hindered student instruction. He said there are alternate classrooms for teachers and classes put out by the construction.</p><p>"At this point, nobody's missed a beat," Lee said. "It looks like, when those buildings get on line, I think we'll just move right into it and everything will be fine. I don't think we're going to miss anything."</p><p>Lee said he has been to several new high schools that opened in the Central Valley and northern California during the last 18 months. He said some of those schools had buildings under construction for months after opening for the school year.</p><p>"So, for us to have just three classrooms and (physical education) locker rooms, which are coming on line here very shortly: that's phenomenal," Lee said.</p><p>Lee said he has been a part of four schools in two states, and Pacheco High's opening surpassed them all. Lee gushed about how well the first week was proceeding.</p><p>"I think it's a testament to the team that was brought on board here," Lee said.</p><p>Freshman Nancy Martins said Los Banos needed another high school, and she could feel the difference in the amount of space at school.</p><p>Martins said the first of week of school started well.</p><p>"The classes are great," Martins said. "The people are great. Especially the buildings: they're amazing."</p><p>Enterprise staff writer Thaddeus Miller can be reached at 388-6562 or by e-mail at tmiller@losbanosenterprise.com.