The temperature is expected to reach 101 degrees on Monday to cap a three-day heat wave that starts today.

But it will be at least  3 to 7 degrees hotter for students and staff on the 30 plus campuses in the Manteca Unified school district.

It is because of the “heat island” effect that large expanses of  concrete and asphalt used for playgrounds, parking lots, and sidewalks create by absorbing and re-emitting the sun’s heat more than  landscaped areas and bodies of water.

The state wants school districts like Manteca Unified  to reduce the impact of heat islands.

As such, four initiatives are in the works.

*Shade for playground structures

*Other outdoor shade areas.

*Adding more solar panels to create shade over parking lots.

*Planting more trees that can provide expansive shade without threatening the integrity of sidewalks and playgrounds.

Manteca Unified is already undertaking a districtwide playground upgrade that will include appropriate shading.

They also have portable shade structures at campuses.

In addition, they are looking at adding more permanent shade structures that can do double duty as an outdoor classroom such as one that is now in use at Neil Hafley School.

The new state requirement will help pencil out the potential expansion of existing — as well as future — solar installations over school parking lots.

Modernization projects such as the new gym at Manteca High have been designed to add future solar.

Going forward, Measure A related bond projects at schools could include solar components that create share not just ever more parking lot area but elsewhere on campuses.

Aaron Bowers, the district’s director of facilities, said Manteca Unified is already working with an arborist for appropriate trees to plant as well as the best practices to assure roots won’t be a problem down the road.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com