The Board of Education on Sept. 9 received a detailed design update on referendum-funded additions and renovations for Farnsworth and Urban Middle Schools and heard that geothermal heating and cooling systems under study could add roughly a year to construction schedules and lengthen payback periods.

Designers for the projects said schematic design and design development are complete and the teams are working through construction documents, with a target to finish design in January and to bid the work in spring so construction can begin early in 2026.

Why it matters: the two projects are intended to replace cramped learning spaces and improve campus safety and circulation; changes to mechanical plans or major subsurface work (geothermal) could significantly alter cost and schedule and therefore affect how the district phases construction and uses temporary space.

Project status and schedule
Nate Considine, who identified himself as representing Bray, told the board the project team has completed schematic design and design development and is moving into construction documents. "The design will be complete in January," Considine said, and the team expects to put the project out to bid in the spring and begin construction in early 2026. The presenters showed exterior and interior renderings and said classroom, office and collaborative spaces were receiving particular attention in this stage of design.

Geothermal feasibility and alternatives
Project presenters said feasibility studies at both sites show significant constraints for a district-scale geothermal system. On the Farnsworth site, limited space and the proximity of existing buildings make installing ground loops difficult; putting geothermal infrastructure beneath a new school or beneath parking/play fields would add complexity and is described by the project team as unusual and costly for Midwestern projects. At Urban, installing ground loops would require significant disturbance to athletic fields and could force the district to relocate the track and football field for a season.

Presenters and district staff said preliminary payback estimates for geothermal are long — roughly 15 years — and estimated operational savings cited in the update were about $15,000 per year after payback. The project team said those financial benefits must be weighed against the extra construction-year costs, temporary HVAC replacement costs and added schedule risk. Presenters said solar remains a viable sustainability option and they are continuing to refine solar numbers.

Design details and programmatic goals
Renderings shown to the board emphasize natural light in all classrooms, three-story academic volumes, and collaboration spaces outside classroom wings to create smaller-feeling learning neighborhoods. Presenters described plans for parent drop-off loops, bus stacking areas and on-site recreation such as a turf field at Farnsworth and additional parking to serve both Urban and the nearby high school. The design team said classroom lighting will be LED and classroom fixtures will be dimmable with two lighting banks to support instruction.

Next steps
The project team said remaining work includes refining finishes and high-impact community spaces (cafeterias and libraries), completing construction documents, and submitting site plans to the City of Sheboygan for plan approval. The team expects site-plan submissions in November or December, final construction documents by January and bidding to start in February. The presenters said they will return to the board with additional financial analysis and a final recommendation on geothermal within roughly a month.

Ending
Board members asked detailed questions about supervision lines of sight, locker placement and flooring durability; the project team said they will continue user-group engagement and return with refinements. No formal board action was taken at the presentation; designers and staff will continue study and return with cost/schedule recommendations.