Mendota Unified School District Board of Trustees Place a $19 Million Bond Meas

Mendota, CA- Citing ongoing state budget cuts and the need to relieve overcrowding of their schools, Mendota Unified School District Board members have unanimously agreed to place a $19 million facilities improvement bond measure on the November ballot. The Long Range Facilities Master Plan prepared by BCA Architects identifies the need for a third school along with a series of other facilities goals to accommodate the current and projected growth in this central valley community. 

The district’s short term goals are to relieve overcrowding in their elementary schools through the construction of a new 800-student elementary school (Cost – $25 million).  In addition, the Master Plan calls for the modernization of their two existing elementary schools ($18.8 million) to align with the 21st Century Learning Environment standards.  Additionally, a new building at the district’s high school is planned for 2017 (Cost – $4.5 million).  The District is also budgeting for “technology refresh” and deferred maintenance funds to ensure their school facilities continue to support their outstanding teachers well into the 21st Century.  

Long term, the Master Plan calls for the construction of a fourth elementary school along with modernization and expansion of their district’s high school and junior high school.  The Master Plan also identifies joint use opportunities with the City of Mendota for a new Performing Arts Center and an Aquatics Center at the High School.

Through a series of well thought out construction phases, the forward looking plan calls for the construction of the new elementary school by 2014 followed by the modernization of their existing elementary schools in 2015 and 2016.  The plan also calls for applications to the State Allocation Board for matching State funds for growth and modernization funds ($24 million) as well as developer fees from pending residential growth in this central valley community ($7.5 million).

Superintendent of Schools Mike Crass, said, “We are fortunate in the Mendota Unified School District to have a forward thinking Board of Education that have the incredible foresight to invest in the learning environments of their students which clearly demonstrates their commitment to their students and community.  It also shows their full understanding that excellent facilities can greatly assist the teaching staff to increase the academic achievement of their students.”

At the same Board meeting, the Mendota Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to select BCA Architects to implement all of their identified Short Term objectives including the design of the District’s third elementary school and modernization of its two existing elementary schools.

District Board President Jose Zavala said “We are excited about implementing this outstanding Master Plan for our district and community.  Our schools are the hub of our city and it is important to us that we provide the very best learning environment for our students and teachers – the need is there, and they deserve the best.”

The Mendota Unified School District builds upon student’s individual strengths while addressing challenges by providing the highest quality education.  We develop model citizens that are academically, socially, physically, and morally prepared to meet the demands of technology, education, and society.  We provide the opportunities designed to produce scholars, leaders, and champions to excel in the 21st century. 

Paul Bunton, President and Founder of San Jose-based BCA Architects, is a business-minded architect who is in his 23rd year of directing and designing construction of over $1 billion in educational projects throughout 60 public school districts in the state of California. BCA Architects partners with clients on a mission to achieve excellence in design. Since 1989, BCA strives to strengthen communities through projects to: design facilities, help define partnerships, locate financing, and save energy or present alternate delivery methods. BCA goes above and beyond the task at hand to ensure their clients succeed. For more information visit our website http://paul-bunton.com/