The Modesto (California) City school district has broken ground on a facility, part cafeteria and part multipurpose room, that will be shared by two schools.
The Modesto Bee reports that Robertson Road and Harriet Kirschen elementary schools will be the first in the district to have a shared facility. Construction is set to be completed in summer 2027.
The two campuses are separated by only a fence, the district says.
“Neighborhoods in west Modesto deserve, and have long waited for these facilities upgrades,” Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago said. “Better campus environments do a better job of welcoming students and creating positive climates that encourage school attendance and learning.”
The 9,360-square-foot shared facility will have a large indoor space specifically for assemblies, performances, music instruction and campus events, with seating for more than 800 students.
The indoor dining space will seat 400 students, and the outdoor dining area can accommodate an additional 120 students.
Kirschen Principal Kyrsten Trinkler said the shared facility will enable the two schools to host community events together. Kirschen’s existing cafeteria is too small to host schoolwide events at the same capacity.
The facility will have a modern serving kitchen with upgraded meal service areas, new student drop-off and pickup lanes, eight new parking spaces and other safety and traffic-flow improvements.
