Work recently began at Colony Oak Elementary School.
From now throughout the completion of the voter-approved Measure G reconstruction project, the Ripon Unified school board will receive updates at the monthly meetings, according to Superintendent Siegrid ‘Ziggy’ Robeson.
The first of that will take place on Monday, Nov. 13.
CT Brayton Construction of Escalon has been spearheading the lease-leaseback efforts at the kindergarten- through- eighth-grade campus at 22241 S. Murphy Rd.
The plan by WLC Architects is to do away with most of the 29 aging relocatable classrooms, converting Colony Oak into a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) site featuring permanent state-of-the-arts classrooms and labs along with new restroom facilities.
Another 32,000 square feet will be dedicated to expanding the parking lot at the south lot, in turn, improving the circulation of traffic.
New outdoor improvements include shade structures, assembly spaces and playgrounds.
The existing fresh water well / pump, storage tank along with the waste water septic / leach field will be replaced with new water systems to comply with new capacities and current codes.
Colony Oak’s reconstruction budget is $8.8 million, with the work being done in phases based on the availability of any additional funding.
Meanwhile, the 450 students will remain on campus during construction of the school.