Teachers and students will soon see even more major changes at both the high school and elementary school as construction projects continue throughout the district.
Mr. Milne shared excitement about moving into a new classroom after spending more than 30 years teaching in the basement, otherwise known as the lower level.
“I’m excited for the big windows, the blue sky, and the sunshine,” Milne said.
His current classroom has several problems, including leaking windows, uncomfortable temperatures, and humidity. During winter, cold air comes through the windows, while late summer months can feel humid and sticky. The new room is expected to solve many of those issues.
The move will also make daily routines easier.
“I won’t have to do stairs anymore,” Mr. Milne explained. “Being closer to the commons and the library will be a big benefit.”
Milne’s new classroom will be built inside the current art room area and will include updated interior walls and a completely different layout.
According to Scott Johnson, Director of Buildings and Grounds, the high school is adding a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing. The addition will include business classrooms, a production area for printing school apparel, new restrooms, a fitness center, updated woods and metals labs, and a large trades lab for construction, electrical, and furnace work.
The fitness center will feature large windows overlooking the football field and track and will include new workout equipment.
The auto shop area will also be connected to the new labs, creating a larger and more unified learning space.
At the elementary school, a second gymnasium is being added.
Johnson added that the elementary project should be completed by the start of next school year in late August, while the high school construction is expected to finish around December.
The construction was designed by ISG, a local architecture company based in La Crosse. School staff members also helped plan and design the new spaces to fit the needs of students and teachers.