Ripon Unified — based on growth — will need to construct another elementary school along with expanding Ripon High.

Those needs were included in the second phase of the proposed improvements as listed by Caldwell Flores Winter, Inc. on RUSD's Facilities Assessment and Implementation Plan, as presented by Chief Policy Officer / Executive Vice President for CFW Abel Guillen.

He noted that the second phase goal could be necessary at some point to meet the new enrollment volume that can be expected from all the new housing development.

Not only is the City of Ripon adding more housing in the northwestern part of the city, but the City of Manteca is reviewing plans for almost 800 homes that will be within the Ripon Unified boundaries. When combined with existing homes within Manteca that are within RUSD boundaries, there will be at least 1,000 households within Manteca that Ripon Unified campuses will have to accomdoate.

But it was modernizing and upgrading classrooms to 21st century standards at the kindergarten- through- eighth grade schools coupled with the modernizing of the high school Career Technical Education facilities that was the first phase priority.

According to CFW, the proposed facilities are "the scope of improvements" needed to be substantial. The intent of this 2021 plan, Guillen said, is to limit proposed improvements to the amount of anticipated funding that may be available in the future.

CFW worked with RUSD in 2012 on the successful Measure G $25.2 million bond campaign that helped pave the way for reconstruction at both Weston and Colony Oak schools.

Proposed facilities improvements by CFW represented the recommendations developed from analysis of existing conditions, available funding and desired improvements from the local school district.

All this was been part of the ongoing discussions between the two parties, based on meetings and input from a community survey.

The third phase focuses on a variety of upgrades to RHS including modernizing and upgrading classrooms and library, replacing portables with new classrooms, upgrading windows, and improving the air conditioning at Abeyta-Horton Gym, to name a few.

Some of the K-8 schools will need improvements to their libraries and science labs. Ripon Elementary could finally get its own Multi-Use Building under this plan.

CFW and RUSD will continue to look at available funding sources as well as potential local funding, possibly another general obligation bond.