Manteca Unified is delivering on the first wave of campus modernization and safety updates authorized by district voters in 2014 when they passed the $159 million Measure G bond measure.
“The first wave (of projects) should be wrapped up by March,” noted Deputy Superintendent Clark Burke.
There is $56.4 million worth of projects in the first wave that are now under construction at Lincoln, Lathrop, Sequoia, Golden West, and Shasta schools.
The initial five were picked because they had the most pressing modernization needs and were the best qualifiers for matching state bond money.
State voters earlier this month approved Proposition 51. The measure authorizes $9 billion worth of bonds for the construction and modernization of public, charter and vocational schools as well as community colleges.
Manteca is hoping to snag roughly $23 million in reimbursement for the five state approved projects assuming their requests are processed before the bond money is exhausted. Once the district obtains the $23 million it will go to other school construction.
The second wave of schools targeted for upgrades involve the Neil Hafley, French Camp, George McParland, New Haven and Nile Garden campuses.
Roof inspections, hazardous material surveys and soil testing are all part of phase one work for the next wave of projects
The second phase — design and submitted of plans to the state for review — will occur next. Construction or the third phase is contingent on the district’s ability to sell additional Measure G bond money.
Superintendent Jason Messer stressed that the work “won’t happen overnight.”
He noted it took two years after passage of the bond measure for the first five schools to get to the point they are now at with modernization.
The project that has generated the most community interest so far — modernizing Manteca High — won’t be addressed until the third wave of school bond projects. There is roughly $30 million earmarked for work at Manteca High.
However, due to the complex issues involving the nearly 100-year-old campus and various options that can be taken to situate it to accommodate growth, Messer said community outreach meetings concerning Manteca High’s future will start in January.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com