Manteca Unified — if all goes according to plan — could have one of the most versatile district office complexes in California.

Not only would it serve as administrative headquarters for a nearly 25,000-student district with 3,000 employees as well as house bus transportation and other support services, but it will also encompass the existing school farm, a robust adult school, and possibly a regional state-of-the-art performing arts center.

It is perhaps the proposal for a performing arts center envisioned to sit at the corner of Airport Way and Louise Avenue just a few hundred yards from the school farm that would cement the MUSD complex as a vibrant learning and cultural  center.

Soil studies are now being conducted for the potential performing arts complex.

It is part of a $250,000 undertaking for a conceptual design. The process involves developing a program summary as well as architectural design, educational & technical specifications, scoping documents, cost estimating, geotechnical investigations, and topographical surveys.

Placing such a complex aimed at the needs of high schools on the district’s five campuses would cost $60 million or $12 million at each location. Not only is the regional approach less costly — it is estimated to be around $14 million — but it can be developed in a manner the district’s elementary schools would have robust use as well.

The vision is to augment and not supplant what is on existing campuses such as “black box” or one-room theaters as well as the smaller performing arts center at Manteca High.

It has the potential in one fell swoop to address program deficiencies at all five high schools identified by school administrators, teachers, classified staff and students. It also can significantly bolster district elementary performing arts programs, and open the door for community-based program in Manteca, Lathrop and Southwest Manteca which is Weston Ranch.

And given it the adult education program is on the same district campus the facility could be utilized by that program as well.

The school board decision to cluster the adult school at the district site and pump-up technical career options at individual high school campuses that can be accessed by students enrolled at other district high schools that may not have specific programs is also saving the district in excess of $4 million.

That was the minimal price tag for bringing the former be.tech high school facilities at the district complex to state earthquake standards. The facilities are being utilized by the adult school instead as their facilities don’t have to meet the same level of quake resistance.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com