By GABRIELLE ANDRADE
Special to the Times
A new facility to support and enrich the students of Merced City School District (MCSD) has just begun construction, right across the street from John Muir Elementary School, near the corner of K and 26 streets.
The groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the new MCSD Engagement Center took place on March 31.
“Projects like this remind us that learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends,” said Superintendent Julianna Stocking, “It continues in spaces where curiosity is encouraged, and students are inspired to grow. Thank you all for being here to celebrate this exciting milestone.
“This engagement center will serve as a hub for after-school programs, student enrichment, and family engagement. It will include classrooms of academic support, a teaching kitchen for hands-on learning, and a flexible multipurpose space for programs, workshops, and events.”
Stocking pointed out that the innovative space reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to supporting the whole child and strengthening connections with families.
The adaptable layout is expected to allow the school district to accommodate several types of programming, such as musical theatre, athletics, and more.
“This Engagement Center represents an important investment in our students and families,” Stocking said. “By creating a space specifically designed for learning beyond the traditional school day, we are expanding access to meaningful opportunities that support academic growth, creativity, and community connection.”
Construction of the Engagement Center will be led by Marvulli Inc., a local company with a strong track record of delivering quality projects in the region.
Investment into facilities such as the Engagement Center, according to school district officials, is vital to Merced’s development and supporting future generations of students. As children grow up, they are still developing a sense of identity. The facility is expected to provide children the ability to discover themselves outside of an academic setting with guidance from educators.
The groundbreaking event was well-attended by local school officials and dignitaries, including Merced City Council member Mike Harris, a representative of the district where the new facility is being built.
Alongside Harris were representatives of Congressman Adam Gray’s office, Karthik Prasad; Assembly member Esmeralda Soria’s office, Alexandra Rizo; and California State Senator Anna Caballero, Mariel Garcia, providing Certificates of Recognition.