GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Manzanita School is racing to finish their campus in the event in-person instruction will be permitted in Butte County schools in the coming weeks.

Superintendent and Principal Gary Rogers said that timing has been of the essence, and due to the fact his campus has not been ready, or safe for students due to active construction, the district had delayed application for the waiver. That is changing.

“We’re preparing for October 19^th” said Superintendent/Principal Rogers. If school is cleared to open, Rogers says they plan to “do a hybrid AM/PM type situation, with small cohorts so we can meet the guidance.” Construction of Phase 1 will be complete by that point, with the rest of the construction finishing up

The school has been the sight of a massive modernization and expansion project 8 years in the making. Initial planning began in 2013, but Manzanita, along with other area school districts such as Biggs Unified, benefited greatly from the 2016 passing of California Prop 51 which allocated $9 billion in bonds to school facility improvements for grades K-12.  

Superintendent/Principal Rogers, says that work in progress on the Manzanita campus nears the $8 million dollar mark. Those dollars have allowed the school to retrofit old lighting, electric and AC units, make classrooms and bathrooms ADA compliant, and allowed for the expansion of restroom facilities to accommodate a larger student body. The portable classrooms have been removed, replaced by semi-permanent center comprised of three rows of classrooms, and dedicated kindergarten buildings. Manzanita School has also secured a grant to offer full-day kindergarten to its students and families.

In addition to these upgrades, the middle school will move from its previous home in the main building that houses the cafeteria to 5 of 7 new classrooms positioned at the north of campus near the gym. The additional two buildings will function as a dedicated library for the school and a science wing for the middle-schoolers.

Although construction is behind schedule due to COVID 19 and related shortages, completion of Phase 1 (modernization and kindergarten area) is expected the week of October 19^th. Superintendent/Principal Rogers says, “For us, distance learning is a blessing in disguise” as it has allowed for the project to finish up before students return. Other campus construction is expected to wrap up in early November.  Manzanita is confident its beautiful new campus and facilities will be ready to welcome students back when the time comes.