Like most schools across the country, and even the world, 2020 has been an unusual and challenging year for Lanesboro Public School. The 2019-2020 school year wrapped up with distance learning for all students thanks to COVID-19, and the 2020-2021 year just began with the in-person/hybrid learning models, necessitating lots of changes for both students and teachers. And as if that wasn’t enough to juggle, construction on the extensive facilities project at the school began last summer and will continue through December 31.
It all began in January of 2017, when the district’s Finance, Facilities, and Long-Range Planning Committee began the process of reviewing how the school’s facilities fit with the four goals of its new strategic plan, which included regional academic leadership, enhanced early childhood programs, community engagement and partnerships, and a robust communication plan. After many months of research and meetings, the school board decided to began the process of interviewing an architectural firm to help the district realize its vision of increased and improved safety and security, a 21st century learning environment, and a focus on the arts, physical activity, and athletics. The board ended up hiring HSR Architects from La Crosse, Wis. The concept plan was carefully developed and refined between the months of January and May of 2018, and on November 6 of that year, a bond referendum for the proposed facilities project was on the ballot and passed with an immense amount of support from the voters of Lanesboro.
Last summer was spent removing all of the asbestos from the school building along with tearing down the three houses to the east of the school to allow space for the new additions. Bids were collected for the project in August and came back a little higher than expected. Due to a paperwork error, the original completion date was changed from the first day of school to December 31 and that cut approximately $1 million off of the bid amount.
The list of renovations and additions that has been done or is being worked on at the school is extensive. Over the winter months, the lighting in the school was all converted to LED bulbs which brightened up the classrooms considerably. Demolition began in March and occurred mostly in the center of the building with the entire entryway being removed all the way to the service entrance in the back of the school. An overhead door was installed in the shop classroom and the chemistry lab was gutted. Two classrooms were removed completely and the area they occupied is being turned into the new commons/cafeteria/theatre space, which will have two-storied tiered seating and the option to curtain off the wall of glass windows overlooking the park to allow for theatre performances with seating for approximately 250 people. The daycare is being moved to an addition on the east end of the building and a new gymnasium with an indoor playground is being built next to that. The old daycare area will be converted into a teachers’ lounge, classroom, special education offices, and a conference room. The existing gym is being remodeled with new paint and new bleachers. New flooring was installed in all the classrooms, and the Ag room and chemistry lab got a full remodel. The main entrance to the school is being rebuilt to funnel visitors through the office to increase security. A large media room is being added on to the front of the school as well and will have a secure entrance from the outside as well as doors into the school, which can be locked if a non-school event is held there. The facilities project also includes installing solar panels that will provide anywhere from 40-50% of the school’s electricity needs.
As the scope of the project is so large, multiple companies were hired to fill its needs. Market & Johnson is the General Contractor for the project and Nadeau Excavation supplied the excavating. Some of the other vendors include Schammel Electric, P&T Electric, Huntington Electric, POB Surveying, Simplex, Winona Heating and Ventilation, VIS Plumbing, Valor Mechanical, Cary Specialized, Duet Furniture, AcenTek, and Ban-Koe.
Although the project is on schedule, and for the most part has gone smoothly, there have been a few snags. The 1959 section of the school, along with the area where it meets the newer section of building, has proven to be a challenge as some structure walls have needed to be rebuilt. The kitchen also was held up as Superintendent Schultz worked hard to ensure that it didn’t go over budget. He had hoped that it would be completed and ready to use when school started on September 8, but unfortunately, it wasn’t quite there. Thankfully, by the end of the first week of school, it was done, finalized, and had been approved by the state.
Overall, the project is wrapping up. The chemistry lab, media room, cafeteria/commons area, new daycare, and main entrance should be complete within the next four to six weeks, the new gymnasium and indoor playground by early November, and the school offices within two weeks. “I think we’re in our final stage,” Superintendent Schultz said. The remodeling also included new furniture for the classrooms, new paint, and new flooring, which the students have been enjoying since the school year started. “We had a great first week of school,” Schultz commented. While there is still ongoing construction, only two of the student spaces aren’t 100% done so the project has not been interfering with educational needs.
Schultz hopes to have an open house after the December 31 project completion date, but that will depend on what’s going on with COVID-19 at that point. He expressed gratitude to the community of Lanesboro for their support as well as the school staff and students for their patience. “People have been very understanding,” he said.
For more information on the project and to see its progress, visit the Future Facility Project tab at www.lanesboro.k12.mn.us.
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