Westonka Public School District official details school renovation, security upgrades and new learning spaces
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Summary
A district principal described a recent renovation that relocated the school office to the front entrance, added security features and created a collaborative media center plus new resource and life-skills rooms; funding source was not specified.
Principal (name not specified) for the WESTONKA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT said the school recently completed a renovation that moved the administrative office to the front entrance, added security systems and created new instructional spaces aimed at collaboration and accessibility.
The project relocated “our office” from deep inside the building so visitors can more easily find it, the principal said. “Now our entrance is located where it should be, right at the front door,” the principal said. The renovation also added security features including a buzz-in system, an automatic lockdown system and cameras, which the principal described as elements that help “make our students and our families feel safe.”
An alumnus (name not specified) contrasted the new facility with older classrooms, saying, “When I went here classrooms were just rows of desks. There were chalkboards, whiteboards, overhead projectors, maybe a computer or 2 in the library.” The alumnus added that the renovated media center supports “real collaborative projects, real authentic learning,” giving students more agency in their work.
The principal described specific new spaces designed for students with additional needs: “The new resource room and life skills room are game changers. They're designed for real needs of students like sensory regulation, life skills, and accessibility.” The media center was described as a place that “allows students a place to collaborate” and supports group work the district said is important for learning.
The principal noted visual updates that reflect district identity: hallways include “nods to our history” and new branding and school colors intended to foster pride among students. The principal thanked the community for supporting the project, saying, “I am so grateful to this community for supporting our students and teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers, everybody in the West Tonka District.”
The presentation did not specify project costs, funding sources or whether the work was financed through bonds, levies, grants or other means; those details were not provided during the remarks. No formal board vote or action was recorded in the supplied transcript excerpt.