Kearney R-I celebrates completed bond renovations at three elementary schools

Kearney R‑I Board of Education members on a regular meeting were shown photos and an update on bond-funded renovations at Hawthorne Elementary, Kearney Elementary and Dogwood Elementary, and district and contractor representatives described the work as substantially complete and praised coordination among district staff and city inspectors.

The presentation, delivered during the board’s information-item period, highlighted new collaboration spaces, a new front entrance and updated signage at Kearney Elementary, a new media center at Dogwood, and shared design elements at Hawthorne. “You would not have known all the work that happened over summer,” a district speaker said, urging board members to visit classrooms to see the changes.

District presenters and board members thanked principals, custodial and maintenance crews, project engineers and the district’s design partner, DLR. The presentation named several staff and contractors involved: Zach Carter (superintendent at Kearney Elementary), Justin Burko, Justin Cunningham, Elizabeth (project manager), Luis and Colby (project engineers), Megan (lead architect, DLR), and Newkirk (construction partner). The board also thanked city staff and Fire Chief Jeff Fort for inspections and collaboration.

Board members responded with brief remarks of appreciation. One member said, “It looks amazing,” and another called the pace of work “pretty amazing,” noting late nights and heavy summer hours by crews. Board members and presenters described the decision to pivot from building a new elementary school to completing the bond renovation work as a “big decision and a big leap of faith,” and said they were pleased the changes will reach more students.

The update did not include a final punch-list completion date in the discussion; presenters said some furniture and final items remained to be set in the weeks following the meeting. The board did not take action on the presentation itself.