The first part of the $56.4 million Measure G projects now underway at five Manteca Unified School District campuses will involve parking lot and drop-zone improvements.
The goal is to have parking lot work done before school resumes Aug. 4.
Most of the construction will continue into the school year.
The work at Lincoln, Sequoia, Shasta, Lathrop, and Golden West schools is the first wave of projects being funded with the $159 million bond voters approved nearly two years ago.
District staff is expected to recommend to the school board in the coming months to authorize work to start in earnest on plans for  the next wave of projects that will include work at Neil Hafley, French Camp, George McParland, New Haven and Nile Garden schools.
Work now underway includes the following:
Lincoln
The 1950s era Lincoln School — when work is completed — will have a new front entrance while the current entrance along Yosemite Avenue will be restored to its original look.
The new entrance along Powers Avenue is designed to improve security and significantly increase the safety of children going to and from school as well as reduce traffic congestion on Yosemite Avenue.
A new multipurpose room is being built where the playground along Powers Avenue was once located along with an administrative office. The existing circular driveway has been removed and is being replaced with a larger one that will allow for a less congested drop off of students as well as establish one entrance to the campus for security purposes.
The existing main entrance door will be accessed only by teachers with keys plus will automatically close after it is opened. 
The existing cafeteria structure is being reconfigured as classrooms while a kitchen facility that is currently in a portable building will be replaced.

Sequoia School
Sequoia School will no longer face Martha Street as it has for more than a half a century after the $8.4 million modernization project is completed. Instead, a new office is being built next to the multi-purpose room completed a few years back along Wawona Street.
The entire campus is being re-orientated and reconfigured to improve security as well so the campus can be effectively locked down in emergencies.

Golden West
At Golden West, the $14 million modernization effort includes enhancing safety and security.
A new office is being built at the entrance and classrooms are being grouped so they can easily be locked down.
Golden West School will have new facade touches to the front so it blends in with the architecture of the newer community gym.

Shasta School
Shasta School’s $8.3 modernization will also maximize classroom space, provide new flooring, and upgrade electrical systems among other things.
To improve security, a new office is being built along Edison Street with the existing complex at the center of the campus converted into classrooms.
A new classroom wing will replace portables. The design of the buildings facing Edison will pick up the architectural nuances of the multipurpose room completed several years ago to give the campus a unified look.
Where the portables were once located near Edison, additional parking is being provided.

Lathrop School
Lathrop Elementary School safety — both on campus as well as during drop-off and pick-up times along Fifth Street — will be significantly improved with the envisioned $14.6 million modernization project.
 Neighbors and parents alike have complained for years about the hodge podge situation regarding before and after school traffic.
The bond project will clean up the traffic issues, add sidewalks, provide a bus drop off and create one main entrance to the campus.
Reconstruction includes building a new office at the main entrance and securing the campus in a manner that it is defensible if an incident occurs.
 
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com