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Waunakee board shows conceptual $105 million high‑school plan that would demolish oldest sections, add classrooms and athletic upgrades
Summary
District officials presented a conceptual high‑school plan in the community survey that calls for demolishing the oldest one‑story portions of the high school, building phased additions to give every teacher a classroom, and adding athletic team centers and turf fields; the survey frames the capital question at $105 million while a more detailed estimate shown at the session was roughly $102,000,680.
District planners at a Waunakee Community School District listening session outlined conceptual designs for a phased high‑school rebuild that would replace the oldest portions of the building, add classroom space so each teacher has a home room, and make athletic and safety improvements.
Steve Summers, the district’s executive director of operations, described a conceptual two‑phase project that would demolish aging one‑story sections and add two new areas. ‘‘The board has made the long‑term decision that all high school students are gonna receive their instruction in the high school building itself,’’ Summers said, listing safety/traffic flow, modern learning environments and major building systems among the driving concerns.
Summers said the survey question presents a top‑line capital figure of $105,000,000; he also noted the district’s more detailed estimate was about $102,000,680 and that the board left some solar/geothermal investments flexible depending on community feedback. Athletic improvements discussed include two team‑center buildings (approximately $1.9 million) and turf for varsity baseball and softball (about $3.3 million), as presented at the session.
Library and program spaces: Chris Schumann, the high‑school library director, described the current library as ‘‘very dark’’ with limited natural light and temporary recording and collaboration setups in storage‑type corners, arguing the existing footprint does not support modern learning needs. Summers also noted family & consumer education spaces use residential‑scale equipment rather than commercial technology and cited that as a programmatic shortfall.
Short‑term uses and campus circulation: To address space needs immediately, the board plans to relocate some high‑school classes to the existing middle school while permanent work proceeds and is investing some previously approved funds (about $2.5 million) to improve security cameras, a clock/bell/PA system and gated traffic on Community Drive to improve safe movement between buildings.
Next steps and community input: Summers emphasized the plans are conceptual and contingent on community feedback collected through the survey. The district intends to refine designs after survey results, confirm rebates and potential state aid, and then present more detailed plans and cost estimates to the board before any ballot placement.
