Manteca High has 47 restrooms spread throughout the 101 year-old campus.

They present manpower challenges to keep clean and in good repair.

And they represent — as do virtually all restroom work that has been funded by the $159 million Measure G bond passed in November 2014 and will occur as part of the projects being funded by the $260 million Measure A bond approved by voters in November 2020 — a prime example of the Manteca Unified bid to maximize tax dollars.

By bringing current restrooms up to state standards water use will be reduced. While that will save money going forward, the bigger cost avoidance will be manpower and the funds needed to keep restrooms in good repair.

That’s because the designs being implemented in remodels and replacement restrooms stress low maintenance, durability, and aesthetics.

The several portable restrooms built by modular classroom manufacturers that are being replaced throughout the district have significantly higher upkeep costs as the structures age worse  as opposed to “brick and mortar” restrooms.

As for restroom upgrades, linoleum flooring is being replaced with brushed concrete. All partitions are built from durable metals to eliminate the need for painting. Facets spigots where none exist are being installed to make the restrooms easier to clean.

Darker grout is being used for wall tile to make them easier to keep clean. Sensors are being employed on faucets and urinals.

At schools where it was needed the restrooms were stripped to the framework to replace aging wiring and even better placement of pipes for more efficient placement of fixtures.

Not only will upgraded lighting be added, but in some cases skylights have been added to eliminate dingy aesthetics.

And when tile work is done school colors will be incorporated in the accent design.

While none of it sounds exciting, the sum total reduces manpower needed to clean the bathrooms every day. That means cost avoidance for the district’s annual budget.

And in the case of Manteca High by combining upgrades with consolidating some of the 19 current restrooms that staff uses that have 40 fixtures and some of the 28 existing restrooms dedicated to students with a total of 89 fixtures it will reduce staff time.

There are are also four new student restrooms currently being built as part of the modernization effort.

It adds up when a typical school restroom takes an average of 20 minutes to clean.

There are even some cases such as a restroom at New Haven Elementary School that has “old school” non-compliant urinals where the users have to step onto a raised concrete floor to use. That restroom — as well as all others — is being brought up to current American with Disabilities Act standards.

“Restrooms are improved in a manner that increases water conservation, cleanliness, and keeps with district standards,” noted Aaron Bowers who serves as director of facilities and operations for Manteca Unified. “That includes (state standards) on water conservation that requires low-flow toilets and time-controlled faucets.”

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com