Building Tomorrow’s Schools Today

MUSD’s Commitment to Modern Learning Environments

In Manteca Unified, our facilities planning philosophy prioritizes student-centered education by investing in environments where every student can thrive. In a global workforce driven by new technology, we are committed to ensuring our students are prepared for their future — resulting in twenty-first-century school facilities and classroom modernizations. 

Our dedicated facilities planning team, led by Director of Facilities & Operations Aaron Bowers, collaborates closely with District leadership, school site staff, and contracted architects. Together, they tackle a myriad of questions, both big and small, to ensure our campuses are designed for student success.

“‘Can I learn here?’ is a question we’ve repeatedly asked ourselves when planning solutions. Our goal is to enhance the tools available to our educators by integrating the facility into the classroom experience,” shares Bowers.

Our goal is to enhance the tools available to our educators by integrating the facility into the classroom experience.

From considering how campus updates should align with modern learning environments to determining the most suitable facilities for kindergartners, and strategizing how to maximize available resources, the team remains focused on designing school environments that support students from their start in Transitional Kindergarten until they graduate, ensuring they are ready for college and career pathways.

The team plans for future evolutions in education. New thoughts, ideas, concepts, activities, and opportunities take shape every day in classrooms, and bricks are not easily moved. This is why flexible furniture solutions, wireless connectivity, retractable walls, minimal built-ins, outdoor learning spaces, and attached shared learning spaces (known as learning commons) have been embraced in recent builds. “By integrating these details into our schools, educational programs can consider learning beyond rows in the four walls of a classroom,” Bowers explains.

Funding the Future of Education Together

In every state, funding for public education comes from a combination of state taxes, local taxes, and some federal funds. Scan the QR codes to the right to learn more about how schools are funded. 

In short, the state decides how much each school District needs to operate. If local property taxes do not meet that dollar amount, the state subsidizes the rest.  This dollar amount does not consider the money needed to fund dated facilities or build new schools.  

Thanks to the support of local taxpayers, we can help fund MUSD’s Facility Program through special taxes and bond measures such as Measure A.

We value the investment of the community and build accordingly. To invest in education means to maximize dollars and resources wherever possible to direct more dollars back to the students. Utilizing and modernizing existing campuses is a key example of maximizing resources when compared to building a brand-new school requiring a steep, ongoing financial commitment.

Learn How Schools Are Funded

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Updates Coming to MUSD

School facilities are a shelter for our students and community and are built to be durable, long-lasting facilities that our community can be proud of for generations. See how we’re building the future of MUSD through campus modernizations! 

East Union High School | Est. 1966 | Modernization

Construction is currently underway for East Union’s new two-story building, adding 31 classrooms, a new media center, and more to their campus before the 2026-27 school year. The interior design will feature upscale finishes and stylish, flexible furniture, contributing to a collegiate feel. The building’s layout and location were considered within the existing campus to create multiple quad spaces that include outdoor learning areas, gathering areas, a large lawn, a stage, and multiple custom shade structures sprinkled throughout.

 

Manteca High School | Est. 1920 | Modernization

In the heart of Manteca and near many new developments south of 120, Manteca High School is undergoing a full modernization to accommodate the influx of students projected for the area and update their aging campus. Modernization efforts have been underway since 2021, but the Buffaloes will soon receive an updated stadium this November, a two-story 22-classroom building, and Career Technical Education (CTE) work shop in 2025, and another two-story building (that will mirror East Union’s) in 2027.

 

New Haven Elementary | Est. 1958 | Modernization

One of our oldest schools, New Haven, is receiving a new 8-classroom building and administration building. The new classroom building will replace several aging portables on campus and include a central learning commons that will extend learning outside the walls of the classroom. The existing main classroom building will also be renovated. Estimated completion is January 2026. 

 

 

Brock Elliott Elementary | Est. 1958 & Joshua Cowell Elementary | Est. 1994 | Modernization

The Brock Elliott Champions and Joshua Cowell Cougars will each receive new Multi-Purpose rooms. This makes way for their current cafeterias to become libraries while their libraries will be renovated to expand their administrative buildings. This update will also include various structural and safety improvements to their campuses such as asphalt replacement, fire system replacement, and more.

 

Early Education Centers | New Construction

Manteca Unified is in the early stages of developing two Early Education Centers. These campuses will create a central location for preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and kindergarten classes in a safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environment. The centers will be in Manteca and Lathrop to create additional capacity at our most impacted school sites as part of a multi-phase project. These sites will also have the potential to become a full TK-8 elementary school in the future.

 

MUSD Facilities Updates and Information