$165M in projects are underway at Modesto schools. Here’s what is being constructed

Modesto City Schools students returned to campuses Monday, Aug. 7, to find new outdoor classrooms, renovated science facilities and solar panels in parking lots — some of many projects built or planned for over the summer.

New structures, construction and improvements costing an estimated $165 million have been paid for through bond Measures D and E, approved by voters in 2018 for elementary and middle schools; Measure L, passed on the November ballot for high schools; and school district funds.

Projects at several elementary schools

Fremont Elementary is expected to get a new cafeteria, front office, parking lot and bus loop, with construction beginning Aug. 15. The new bus loop will be on Orangeburg Avenue.

In March, El Vista began its construction of a new cafeteria and front office, and in June, Tuolumne TK-8 began construction on a new front office, student drop-off and pickup area and gymnasium. Both projects are expected to be finished by fall 2024.

By late winter or early spring, construction of a new cafeteria and expanded staff parking lot will start at John Muir Elementary.

Next summer, Franklin Elementary and Orville Wright Elementary will begin construction projects. Franklin will be building a new cafeteria, parking lot drop-off and pickup area and front office building, while Wright will get a new cafeteria. These will be among the last few projects funded by Measures D and E.

Science projects at middle schools

La Loma and Mark Twain junior high schools are renovating their science labs. La Loma’s final classrooms are expected to be completed in the fall while Mark Twain’s are expected to be completed by winter break. Hanshaw already completed its renovated science labs.

Roosevelt Junior High also is expected to get science lab renovations, but construction will begin next summer. The construction at Roosevelt will be the final project funded by Measures D & E. Junior high school lab renovations at the four schools cost a estimate combined total of $30.94 million.

Hanshaw, Mark Twain, Roosevelt and La Loma also will have tracks put on their fields, funded by the district. In addition, gym bleacher replacement will happen at Mark Twain beginning between fall and winter.

Some elementary, middle and high schools will get to participate in outdoor learning spaces called sustainable outdoor learning environments, or SOLEs. This summer, the district completed the construction of five outdoor work spaces at Beard and Orville Wright elementary schools, Roosevelt Junior High School and Downey and Gregori high schools.

The first structure was completed in May at Tuolumne, which also got a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) facility, combining both indoor and outdoor space. The building consists of 4,900 square feet of indoor space and an additional 1,300 square feet of covered outdoor learning. The $6.7 million STEAM classroom was funded by Measures D & E. Tuolumne’s $950,000 SOLE structure was funded by money set aside by the Board of Education for capital projects. Turlock Irrigation District also provided $68,000 in rebates for the solar shade structure.

The five SOLE structures completed this summer feature solar power panels above them and power to run TVs, smartboards and other small equipment. The spaces are 40 by 50 feet or the equivalent of two classrooms in size. The total price for the five SOLEs was $5,351,000.

High Schools

Through Measure L, the district is beginning its “quick strike” projects for the next two school years.

Solar panels were installed over some parking lot spaces at Downey, Beyer and Johansen high schools. Davis was the first to get a solar shade, but that project was funded by the district. Enochs and Gregori are in the final design stages for their parking lot solar panels, with construction expected to begin in June 2024.

With the solar panels, Downey offsets 85% of its power, Beyer 83% and Johansen 67.5%, according to the district.

Tracks were converted to all-weather surfaces at Gregori, Downey and Johansen High Schools.

As for the future, the district is awaiting the Division of State Architects’ final approval for high school perimeter fencing. This fencing will be built at Gregori, Enochs, Downey, Beyer, Davis and Johansen.

Davis also is planning an expansion for its Health Services Academy. The building design has been approved by the state architects and is expected to begin construction in the winter.

Elliott Alternative Education Center is going to be upgrading its multi-use shop classroom and cafeteria. The district is awaiting approval on building design and site work but estimates work will begin in the winter.

In the 2024-25 school year, Modesto High — its campus divided by H Street/Paradise Road — is planning to have all classroom instruction take place on the main campus, with an exception of an agricultural classroom. Design for these classrooms begins next summer. The district anticipates phase one of construction to begin in June 2024.

For the 2025-26 school year, architectural designs for future projects at Davis, Downey and Beyer High Schools will begin.