The Marion School District broke ground Aug. 21 on an expansion project that will turn the K-6 Marion Elementary School into a K-8 school.
In November, voters approved a referendum totaling almost $15 million. The plans for the elementary school are to build a new kitchen and commons behind the school, along with music practice rooms and a concession stand, and then turn the existing food area and gathering place into classrooms for the seventh- and eighth-grade students.
The expansion work is beginning in September, while the classroom renovations will take place next summer once school lets out.
Also taking place next summer will be an update to Marion High School’s technical education classrooms and labs. Remodeling the elementary school office and catching up on maintenance at both schools are also on the to-do list. All work is expected to be completed by fall 2026.
The referendum work is expected to increase school taxes for district residents by $1.71 per $1,000 of assessed value, which means the owner of a $200,000 piece of property will pay $342, and the owner for $300,000 worth of property will pay $513.
“We’ve been waiting a while, and it’s exciting that it’s starting,” said Superintendent Troy Edwards.
He noted that the district’s overall plan is to have all grades in one building, but constructing a new high school plan is in the long-term goals. He estimated the existing high school can last about 15-20 years.
“Building out toward our playground area, we will be eventually, if things go well in 15-20 years with a referendum, add on the high school portion of the 4K-12 complex,” Edwards said.
The work on the elementary school office will provide security upgrades that will require visitors to get office staff to open the doors for them when they enter.
“We’re adding another level of security, where we’ll have everyone buzz into the office, which we have specifically for both buildings,” Edwards said. “The community was very supportive of more security.”
The referendum work includes larger classrooms for the elementary school, of which some could become fabrication labs. Edwards said the district plans to apply for three grants where the elementary, middle and high schools could get money to create the labs.
“We would have to put in $12,500, and the state would provide $25,000, so you’d be getting $37,500 to put toward fab lab equipment,” Edwards said. “It could be robotic arms. It could be 3D printers. It could be plasma cutters, so all those things will help our academic and career planning and students thinking about careers.”
Marion School Board President John Schwartz said a lot of work has been done by staff and the community to get to the point of breaking ground. The November referendum was the second attempt by the district to approve the expansion work.
“They all do a wonderful job making this a safe, happy place to education the students of our community,” Schwartz said. “These projects that we’re doing with our referendum dollars will go a long way to enhance the already great work in this community and in this district.”
Marion Mayor Chris Goke noted that the school district’s success is also his city’s success, as many communities have a symbiotic relationship between the municipal government and the school district.
“Although the city and the school district operate separately from each other, we work well together, because the city and the school district understand our success go hand in hand with each other,” Goke said. “A strong Marion School District makes the city of Marion more attractive to potential families looking to live here and for potential businesses looking to open here.”
The groundbreaking represents more than the start of the construction schedule to Goke.
“It marks a renewed commitment to our children, to our teachers and to generations to come,” he said. “With this expansion, the district’s residents are investing in a learning environment that inspires growth, creativity and excellence. They are investing in a vision where every child has the opportunity to learn in a space that is safe, updated and designed for success. It’s about opening more doors for our children’s future.”
Besides the groundbreaking, the school hosted a picnic for the Marion community with burgers and brats.
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
