Memorial Service Planned for Director of MVUSD Construction

A memorial service is planned for a Murrieta Valley Unified School District staff member who oversaw the construction of several of the district's newer campuses.

Britt Rees, 51, director of construction, died May 12 of a sudden heart attack, the district announced Wednesday. A memorial service for Rees will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 3 in the Gershwin Performing Arts Center at Murrieta Mesa High School, according to a news release.

A reception will follow in the Ram’s Den.

Rees came to the district in 2003 during the height of the district’s enrollment growth and he was responsible for overseeing the construction of Antelope Hills Elementary, Lisa J. Mails Elementary, Dorothy McElhinney Middle School and Murrieta Mesa High School, according to Karen Parris, spokesperson for the Murrieta Valley Unified School Distirct.

Rees also oversaw the major renovation completed at Murrieta Valley High School in 2011. Prior to coming to the district, Rees was the facilities support supervisor at Newport-Mesa Unified School District, where he worked for 10 years.

Superintendent Stan Scheer expressed his condolences.

“Britt will be sorely missed," Scheer said. "He touched the lives of many people across this district and throughout the community. I have never met anyone who had more of a 'can-do' attitude, focusing always on solutions rather than the problem. Britt was available 24/7, 365 days a year to do whatever needed to be taken care of, whether it was overseeing the building of schools, operations, maintenance, security or working with the multitude of organizations that use our school facilities on the weekends.”

The memorial tribute is an opportunity for all who knew Rees to come and celebrate his life, Parris said.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial college fund has been established for Rees' children at, 40428 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta, CA, 92562. Donations may be mailed to the Rees Educational Memorial Fund at P.O. Box 2343 Sun City, CA, 92586.

For more information, contact Karen Parris, at 951-696-1600, ext. 1022.

The district is planning to install a plaque at Murrieta Mesa High School in honor of Rees, Parris said.