Manteca High will receive renovations totaling $42M
By MARIAH RAMIREZ and DANIEL GARCIA
The Tower
Manteca High has seen and gone through many buildings, including past structures that were destroyed and some renovated. Manteca High was known for its tower that stood tall until it caught on fire in 1948 and was soon destroyed in 1969, when it did not meet the Field Act standards.
In 2021, Manteca High added the 100 wing which brought 10 classrooms, as well as the addition of a student parking lot along South Garfield Avenue and Moffat Boulevard.
In 2022, Manteca High underwent even more renovations such as a new swimming pool and a brand-new gymnasium, with the area being called the Pennebaker Plaza.
Now in the 2023-24 school year, Manteca High will undergo new construction which will bring two new two-story classroom buildings, a single-story woodshop building, and renovations to the football stadium. There will be the demolition of wings 20-80 totaling 38 classrooms. There would also be an expansion of the parking lots on Sherman Avenue and the recently acquired 453 Moffat Boulevard property.
Aaron Bowers will be managing as well as overseeing facilities, maintenance, and construction for the upcoming renovations at Manteca High. Over the past 15 years, Bowers has been focused on improving schools as a main priority. As a Manteca High alumnus, Bowers takes this project with great pride and contribution.
“This project is near and dear to my heart, as I am a fellow MHS Graduate and community member. I take great pride in contributing to the renovation of our campus, so our dedicated educators and their students thrive at our campus for years to come,” said Bowers.
Bowers has obtained several degrees for his line of work. Bowers has an associate degree in architecture and a bachelor’s in construction management. Bowers started his career in architecture in 2001, building many different and unique projects. Bowers’ career then changed in 2008, when he focused on the educational sector of the design and construction industry when he joined Stockon Unified School District. In the educational sector, Bowers constructed the modernization of the district’s schools. Then in 2012, due to a business opportunity, Bowers returned to his hometown to continue his career in the Manteca Unified School District. A few years later while working at MUSD, Bowers got another business opportunity to work as director of the maintenance and operations team including facilities.
Bowers and his team have been able to modernize 12 schools in seven years while still maintaining 2.6 million square feet of facilities and 640 acres of property. Bowers aims at creating successful and effective projects while collaborating with other educators, students, and active community members.
“Today, I can be very thankful for a team that is comprised of dedicated employees with a heart for our community and our schools. […] We strive to design and create dynamic and successful projects in partnership with educators, community members, and students,” said Bowers.
Manteca High School will undergo four different construction phases, which are planned to last at least five years. The first phase includes four different construction subphases. The phases include the construction of two new two-story classrooms, modernizing both the administration building and the existing library, and construction of new parking lots.
“The project includes improvements that will directly improve the learning environments of the campus,” said Aaron Bowers.
The construction will bring a much-needed stadium renovation which includes a new track, a renovated natural turf field, new stadium lights, and much more which will cost approximately $11.3 million. Another $30 million will be used to construct the classroom buildings, media center, and cafeteria expansion. Modernization of the existing school library, administration/ student resources, and the wood shop will also be included.
Over 1,800 students are currently enrolled at Manteca High. The constant rise of students enrolled is slowly taking a toll at Manteca High. Much of the school was not equipped or planned to have this many students enrolled at once. The buildings have also been lacking many of the students' needs, very little space and not that many electrical outlets.
“I’m hoping that with the new buildings, they will accommodate what’s needed for students now,” Manteca High’s head custodian Melvin Nelson said. “For instance, more electrical outlets.”
The rising enrollment of students has made Manteca High seek renovation and modernization of the school. The future of the campus will improve the learning environment. Construction for the two-story classroom building and the football stadium is soon to start.
The initial construction is planned to start Monday, Nov. 13. The construction will temporarily close the 100 wing bathrooms and the JROTC bathrooms. Portable restrooms will be placed on the south side of the AG building.