The Division of State Architects approved plans for a new Career Technical Education Center at Ripon High.

Andy Strickland, who is the Director of Facilities, Operations & Safety, made that announcement at the Feb. 13 Ripon Unified school board meeting.

Getting the OK by DSA was the design by PBK Architect, consisting of a two-story building to accommodate a variety of career pathway courses at RHS, including ag mechanics, ag science, ag business, software & systems development, and patient care, to name a few.

Trustees approved the lease-leaseback delivery about a year ago for the construction phase along with CT Brayton & Sons – the Escalon-based firm is handling other construction projects on camps including the new portables.

Strickland also provided updates on other projects in the works.

The new parking lot north of the RHS campus – along the Acacia Avenue turnaround – had the drainage system installed.

His crew is working on converting the junior varsity baseball field to the varsity softball field. “The majority of the work is done,” said Strickland, adding that the playing surface will be the same type of Bermuda grass used on the football field.

He noted that concrete was poured not too long ago for the base of the new storage building at Ripon Elementary.

Concrete was also poured for a sidewalk at RHS, in the area of the Band Room and ‘H’ wing, to provide better access for students and tennis players, Strickland said.