One public cheer for a $51.2 million referendum was not enough for the Shawano School District, so it held a second groundbreaking Aug. 26 — this time for Shawano Community High School, which carries the bulk of the future projects.
By this time next year, the district expects to have a renovated stadium with synthetic turf for football, soccer and track, the latter of which has previously hosted events at Shawano Community Middle School. The high school’s parking scheme will be drastically altered, and entryways will change.
Inside the school, the former district office and foods classrooms will be gutted to create better weight room facilities. The classrooms are going to find new life on the school’s west side along with the Hawks’ other trades programs, which will also be seeing improvements. The school’s auditorium will be getting a face-lift with better sound systems and improved technology, along with new seating. The core classrooms are also being updated.
The groundbreaking saw close to 400 teachers, students, school officials and city representatives gather as top brass painted an optimistic picture of how work in the next 12 months will impact students for decades to come.
Superintendent Kurt Krizan described the groundbreaking as a “significant milestone” for the school district.
“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony represents not only the start of construction, but of the continuation of a vision built on the values of opportunity, excellence and community partnerships,” Krizan said.
He noted that the support was not given lightly, as the November 2024 referendum that birthed the aforementioned projects was the second attempt for the district to get the community’s approval. The first attempt in April 2024 saw the referendum question lose by a razor-thin margin of 75 votes.
“It reflected careful considerations, spirited dialogue and, ultimately, a shared commitment to ensuring the students of Shawano have access to the best educational opportunities,” Krizan said. “With this investment, we are addressing both the present needs and future aspirations of our district.”
Krizan noted the work will give SCHS students better hands-on learning opportunities at a time when the world is quickly changing. He said the district is also strengthening its focus on the arts by providing improved music classrooms and theater facilities.
“As we turn over the first soil, let us remember that we’re not simply building walls, classrooms and fields,” Krizan said. “We’re building opportunities for learning, for growth, for excellence and for generations of students yet to come. Together, we’re shaping the future that will make Shawano proud for decades.”
School Board President Tim Renard said he was excited to be assuming leadership at a time when so much change was taking place. He acknowledged that the work was much more valued and focused in the second referendum attempt.
“Everyone on the second go-around really put the work in to make this a more meaningful set of updates that has a significant amount of community input,” Renard said.
The high school is the second phase of construction work being done by Hoffman Planning and Design, Renard noted. During the summer, improvements were made to the district’s other three schools, and a new district office facility was added at Olga Brener Intermediate School.
“What makes this overall project so exciting, especially to me, is that every student, staff member, teacher and district employee will be impacted by the improvements that are made here on this project,” Renard said. “Many times, referendums are focused on the needs of an athletic facility or a new school building. This referendum is impacting every facility in many different ways.”
Renard noted that much of the maintenance work that’s part of the referendum has been delayed for years due to limited budgets, but the projects will help to get the district back on track as far as maintaining its facilities.
“These updated facilities will be more energy-efficient and benefit the overall community with the ability to attract new families, students and businesses to the area,” Renard said. “These facilities can also be used by community groups for community events.”
The groundbreaking was also exciting for two SCHS seniors, John Kim and Ivy Winslow, even though the improvements will be finished after they graduate.
Kim said he is eager to have the underclassmen enjoy the new athletic facilities, noting that it’s a huge change.
“They’re basically making a brand new track and a football field, which is exciting,” Kim said. “The previous bleachers weren’t the best, but I’m glad that’s changing.”
Winslow, who helped introduce the guest speakers at the groundbreaking, said she’s excited about the improvements and additional space for the music and art facilities.
“I think Shawano is a great place to learn, but with this referendum, it’s going to get 100 times better, and I think that’s better for future generations,” Winslow said. “Even though I won’t be able to get to experience this, because I’m a senior, I’m glad I was able to start it and future generations can finish it and benefit from it.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
