East Union High, when 2028 rolls around, will be a completely different campus than when Manteca Unified voters approved the $260 million Measure A bonds in November of 2020.

The bond proceeds, along with reimbursement from the state for its share of the work from Proposition 2 bond money, will mean the following will be completed by the end of:

* 2025/2026 SCHOOL YEAR: The new small gym, weight room/PE classroom, the two-story building along Union Road that will house 31 classrooms and a media center, renovated student parking lot, theatrical lighting upgrades, and removal of some of the portable classrooms.

*2026/2027 SCHOOL YEAR: Administration/attendance building modernization, large gym modernization, small gym modernization, new driveway and parking lot expansion accessed from Northgate Drive, and removal of the rest of the portable classrooms.

*2027/2028 SCHOOL YEAR: Pool renovation and renovation of the locker rooms.

Proceeds from the $159 million Measure G bond approved in 2016 have already paid for the renovation of older classrooms down to the framework as well as upgrading restrooms, plus addressed campuswide infrastructure issues.

The district also built a new career technical education complex using a state grant.

Both local bond measures were specifically passed to address modernization and safety issues.

The bottom line was to bring facilities up to what is needed to support modern education programs and to assure taxpayers’ investment in existing campuses are protected by extending their useful lives.

A new high school for 2,200 students minus the land cost is now closing in on $300 million.

East Union is the district’s second oldest comprehensive high school in 1966.

When it opened it was in the “country” surrounded by orchards and was accessed by a two-lane road.

Manteca High, that opened in 1920, is the district’s oldest high school campus.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com