$45.4 Million Federal Grant to Fund Major School Expansion for Vandenberg Families

A nearly $60 million construction project will transform Manzanita Public Charter School, bringing new facilities and upgraded infrastructure to benefit military families stationed at Vandenberg Space Force Base and the broader Lompoc community.

The project received a significant boost through a $45.4 million Department of Defense Public School on Military Installations grant, officials announced Tuesday. The federal funding will support construction of a new gymnasium, library, multipurpose center, music room, six classrooms and a kitchen. Existing facilities will also undergo beautification and renovation, including installation of a new air conditioning system, playground upgrades, safety improvements and landscaping enhancements.

The remaining $14.6 million will be covered through a combination of a California Charter School facilities grant, Lompoc Unified School District contributions and Manzanita Public Charter School funds.

Military families represent a significant portion of the school’s population, with approximately 25 to 35 percent of Manzanita students coming from households stationed at Vandenberg SFB. The improvements are designed to create a welcoming environment for those students while strengthening ties between the installation and surrounding community.

“This investment directly supports our military families and demonstrates a continued commitment to the quality of life of Team V,” said Col. James T. Horne III, Space Launch Delta 30 commander. “Providing modern, high-quality educational facilities for our children helps ensure our Guardians, Airmen and families have the resources they need to thrive while serving at Vandenberg.”

The road to securing project funding began in 2018 and required extensive collaboration between Manzanita, Lompoc Unified School District, Vandenberg SFB and various state agencies. Partners persevered through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and complex funding obstacles to bring the project to fruition.

“Having a beautiful campus and environment at a school is so important,” said Suzanne Nicastro, Manzanita Public Charter School superintendent. “Kids and staff feel valued when they’re learning and working in an environment that is clean, safe and meets the needs of everyone.”

Construction is scheduled to begin the first week of June and will be completed in three phases over the next three years.

“This will be a gift that the community will have for decades to come,” Nicastro said. “It’s a win for the kids, a win for the staff and a win for the community.”