The Colony Oak Elementary School reconstruction is in the final stages of completion.

Senior Projects Manager Deanna Shirlock of CT Brayton & Sons provided that time table at Monday's Ripon Unified school board meeting.

"Things are looking really good," she said in her modernization project update report.

Site improvements consisting of the grading for the new parking lot — Principal Cheryl Griffiths, for one, is looking forward to the completion of the space accommodating 73 vehicles — and play areas is currently taking place.

Shirlock noted from there will be completing the fill and rough grading in the playing field areas followed by the construction of the parking lot and play areas.

The grass and seedlings for landscaping is scheduled for April and is expected to ready for the new school year, she said.

For Griffiths, the rebuild has been a long process that began in 2015.

"We watched (from the construction fences) the buildings go up for 10 months," said Griffiths, who celebrated construction ground breaking in September 2017.

Some of the buildings were completed this past October with the kindergarten classes being the first to move in.

By December, all classes made the transition from the old portables to the new classrooms.

As for the portables, the demolition was recently completed, according to Shirlock in her report.

"This was bittersweet for some of the teachers and staff who have been at Colony Oak for a long time," said Griffiths of finally seeing the portables go.

In addition, the new water well equipment is now online along with the installation of the fencing.

Griffiths expressed her thanks to the district and for the voter-approved Measure G that made possible the school reconstruction.

She also recognized her teachers and staff for putting in the extra time and hours during the rebuild.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.