MUSD five-year facilities plan outlined at board meeting

A graphic produced by Baker Nowicki shows the design plans for Menifee Valley Middle School.

Board members of the Menifee Union School District received an update this week on the district’s five-year plan for school facilities.

Speaking at the Jan. 14 MUSD board meeting, Director of Facilities Jim Sellers described improvements at several MUSD schools totaling an estimated $189.8 million. Some of the improvements are scheduled to be completed later this year.

A $22.3 million conversion of Harvest Hill STEAM academy from TK-5 school to TK-8 is on schedule to be completed by August, Sellers said. The changes include a two-story building addition to accommodate the additional grades. Underground utilities, concrete footing and slabs, and wood framing are complete. A new parking lot was completed in September.

Other modifications include a kitchen expansion, health office modification and music room conversion.

A $3 million reconstruction of the kindergarten classrooms at Chester Morrison Elementary School is in the design phase and is scheduled to completed in August 2021.

One of the most significant facility improvements is the $48 million renovation of Menifee Valley Middle School. It is anticipated that eight portable classrooms will remain on site until the newly approved Middle School No. 4 in Audie Murphy Ranch opens. Construction at MVMS is expected to be completed in August 2021.

Sewer connection was completed in December, Sellers reported. Interim housing for students and staff during the renovation opened Jan. 13. A building addition will include 38 new teaching stations, a library, band and choir room, locker room renovation and new PE hardcourt.

Sellers also reported that 216 security cameras will be placed at MUSD schools by August at a cost of $2 million. Cameras will be monitored at each school site. Also, a $1 million project will install lock access for school doors, with teachers having door cards rather than keys. Only the front door to the school will remain unlocked, with automatic lockdown accessible in the front office.

The largest part of the $189.9 million, five-year budget is devoted to the fourth middle school ($62 million) and the site location, purchase and construction of a 15th elementary school ($50.6 million). The new middle school, to be built in the north section of Audie Murphy Ranch, is scheduled to be completed in August 2022. The plan is to open the new elementary school in August 2024.