Modesto City Schools renovates its elementary, middle schools. What’s been completed?

Last summer, Modesto City Schools announced plans for facilities improvements at elementary, middle and high schools. A year later, the costs have increased but families are seeing progress, including the building of cafeterias and the upgrading of restrooms.

Construction estimates have increased from $165 million to $175 million, with $95.4 million just for elementary and middle schools.

Construction costs are being paid for by Bond Measures D and E, passed by voters in 2018 for elementary and middle school projects, and Measure L, passed in November for high school improvements.

Current and future projects require approval by the California Department of Education and the California Department of State Engineers, and the start and completion dates may change. Here’s a look at what’s happening on elementary and middle school campuses:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS - Total cost of projects: $78.4 million

• Franklin Elementary School - Cost: $10.2 million

• New cafeteria, parking lot drop-off and pickup area, front office building. Construction is estimated to be completed in two years.

• John Muir Elementary School - Cost: $7.6 million

• New cafeteria, stage platform, second dining area, upgrades to restrooms. Construction is estimated to be completed in two years.

• Orville Wright Elementary - Cost: $9.8 million

• New multipurpose facility that will include cafeteria with kitchen and food storage area, performance stage, restrooms, outside dining structure. Construction is estimated to be completed in two years.

• Fremont Elementary - Cost: $19 million

• New multipurpose building, front office, parking, and bus loop. Construction is completed.

• El Vista Elementary - Cost: $10.2 million

• New cafeteria and front office. Construction began in March.

• Tuolumne TK-8 - Cost: $21.6

• New front office, student drop-off and pickup area and gymnasium. Construction began this month

Construction has begun on the campuses of Franklin, Muir and Wright elementary schools. These will be among the last few projects funded by Measures D and E.

A new cafeteria-and-kitchen facility at Muir will seat up to 300 students for dining and nearly 600 for assemblies. The building will have a stage platform that can be used as a music classroom. There are also plans to build a second dining area under a covered canopy outside. The school plans to update the girls and boys restrooms and add two unisex restrooms.

Wright will get a new multipurpose facility with a cafeteria, kitchen, food storage area and performance stage. The school also will get updated student and staff restrooms. Construction plans also include an outdoor shaded lunch structure and renovation of the existing cafeteria to become an office space.

In March 2023, El Vista Elementary began its construction of a new cafeteria and front office, and in June 2023, Tuolumne TK-8 began construction on a new front office, student drop-off and pickup area and gymnasium.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS - Total costs of projects: around $17 million

• La Loma Middle School - Cost: $7.6 million

• Science classrooms renovations. Construction was completed last school year

• Mark Twain Middle School - Cost $9.4 million

• Science classrooms renovations. Construction will begin during the upcoming school year for 2024-2025.

Construction on Roosevelt Junior High School’s science classroom renovations will begin in the summer 2025. The price of the project is still in development and will be finalized in spring 2025.

Mark Twain’s science labs were delayed as they were previously expected to be completed by winter break. Hanshaw Middle School already completed its renovated science labs last year.

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