Twenty-nine portable classrooms at East Union High will be replaced with permanent classrooms as part of the initial two phases of Measure A bond projects.

The replacement of a number of the aging portables is being done districtwide using the $260 million bond voters approved last November is being determined in a methodical manner.

If it is more cost to upgrade portables than replacing them with a traditional “brick and mortar” classroom, a permanent classroom will be built. Virtually all of the 450 portables that account for a third of the district’s 1,450 classrooms have been kept in good enough shape by school maintenance crews over the years that they are currently being effectively utilized although they are showing wear, age, and need for modernization.

But if modernization and repair needs pass a threshold where it makes more sense to replace them with brick and mortar classrooms the district is doing so.

Only a handful of the district’s 450 portables are newer than 20 years old — the average life expectancy of such structures. Many are approaching 40 years including all of the classrooms at the Neil Hafley campus that are all portables.

Manteca Unified facilities director Aaron Bowers noted initially portables associated with the RU physical education program will be replaced in the next wave or work with the others following.

Staff will be outlining a Measure A project plan to the school board on Sept. 14 that includes replacing all of the portables at East Union.

The board just recently authorized the first sale of bonds to the tune of $65 million. That will allow work beyond what is now underway with Measure G bond proceeds to continue at Manteca and East Union high schools as well as French Camp, McParland, Nile Garden, and New Haven elementary schools. It will also provide funds to work on plans for the next wave of work throughout the district.

The first priority will be given to the two campuses with the most pressing needs — Manteca High and East Union High.

Both campuses have buildings in excess of 50 years of age.

After the current work at the two high schools using what Measure G funds could be committed to them is done, there is $62 million in modernization needs left at Manteca High and $49 million at East Union High. That doesn’t include more than $80 million in education needs at both campuses such as a theater at East Union.

The initial work at East Union High involves the expenditure of $14 million.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com