W-B construction timeline for referendum updates set

Phase two to begin in October
By: 
Miriam Nelson
News Editor

WITTENBERG — Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District Superintendent Garrett Rogowski updated the school board about the construction timeline at the Aug. 26 board meeting.

To date, new entrances with security enhancements were completed this summer at each of the district’s three schools — Wittenberg Elementary-Middle School, Birnamwood Elementary-Middle School and Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School.

Phase two of the referendum project will begin Sept. 12, when the board will review and approve the open bids from qualified contractors. Rogowski noted about 50 contractors attended the walk-through Aug. 22, and he’s anticipating competitive bids.

On Sept. 18, the school district will host a groundbreaking ceremony. Further details were not available by press time.

Birnamwood Elementary will have a ramp installed at the front entrance. Two kindergarten classrooms will be added to the southern end of the building.

Wittenberg Elementary, on the Webb Street side, will have a double-story addition that will include two first-grade classrooms on the ground level and a music classroom and additional bathroom on the second level.

In addition to all of the interior work, the high school will have a free-standing agriculture building to the east of the existing structure. This education center will make diverse use of the learning space, though its primary focus will be agriculture-related classes, according to Rogowski. The plan is to begin pouring foundations during the first week in October.

Rogowski acknowledged the mechanical upgrades at the high school will be difficult and dusty as ceilings will be pulled out and replaced while the new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning unit will be installed.

Of the $13.1 million approved for the referendum, approximately $793,224 was spent prior to July 1, according to Rogowski.

The elementary/middle school additions and the ag building are expected to be completed in summer 2020. Work will continue throughout the year. There will be a discussion later to determine whether to have summer school, according to Rogowski.

“This is what excites me the most,” said Rogowski of the referendum updates. “We are preparing our students to be successful, whether they decide to go on to a four-year, two-year higher education degree or go directly into the workforce.”

He noted that WBHS is strongly committed to technology education, agriculture, family and consumer education, art and science.