Last summer, Modesto City Schools announced plans for facility improvements at elementary, middle and high schools. A year later, costs have risen, but families are seeing progress, including the construction of cafeterias and modernizing toilets.
Construction estimates have risen from $165 million to $175 million, with $95.4 million for elementary and secondary schools alone.
Construction costs will be paid for by bond measures D and E, which were passed by voters in 2018 for elementary and middle school projects, and by measure L, which was passed in November for middle school improvements.
Current and future projects require approval from the California Department of Education and the California Department of State Engineers, and start and completion dates are subject to change. Here’s a look at what’s happening on elementary and middle school campuses:
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS – Total cost of projects: $78.4 million
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Franklin Elementary School – Cost: $10.2 million
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John Muir Elementary School – Cost: $7.6 million
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Orville Wright Elementary – Cost: $9.8 million
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Fremont Elementary – Cost: $19 million
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El Vista Elementary – Cost: $10.2 million
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Tuolumne TK-8 – Cost: $21.6
Construction has begun on the campuses of Franklin, Muir and Wright elementary schools. These are among the last projects to be financed by measures D and E.
A new cafeteria-and-kitchen facility in Muir will accommodate up to 300 students for dining and nearly 600 for meetings. The building will have a stage platform that can be used as a music room. There are also plans to build a second outdoor dining area under a covered canopy. The school plans to modernize the girls’ and boys’ toilets and add two unisex toilets.
Wright will have a new multi-purpose facility with a cafeteria, kitchen, food storage area and performance stage. The school will also have new toilets for students and staff. Construction plans also include a shaded outdoor lunch structure and renovation of the existing cafeteria to become an office space.
In March 2023, El Vista Elementary began construction on a new cafeteria and front office, and in June 2023, Tuolumne TK-8 began construction on a new front office, student drop-off and pick-up area, and gymnasium.
HIGH SCHOOLS – Total cost of the projects: approximately $17 million
Construction on the Roosevelt Junior High School science lab renovation is set to begin in the summer of 2025. The project is still being priced and is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2025.
The Mark Twain science labs were delayed, as they were previously expected to be completed before winter break. Hanshaw Middle School completed all of its renovated science labs last year.
