Last fall voters approved both referendum questions on the ballot. One question supported increased staffing and operational costs for our new spaces and the second question approved $130 million for the construction/renovations of our schools.

Below is a more detailed list.  

• Reduction of Kindergarten-2nd grade class sizes districtwide
• The hiring of 12 STEM teachers at the elementary level
• Modernization of our four middle schools, adding capacity to allow for the inclusion of 6th grade, and updating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) areas
• Building a new elementary school on district-owned property to accommodate enrollment growth on the north side of our district
• Completing individualized projects at each elementary school to create a STEM space, improve security as needed, and update available spaces
• Build additions and complete renovations at our three high schools

Sandy Slope Elementary School
The Sandy Slope Lead Planning Team has held 12 staff input sessions with 80+ staff members including District Administrators, Building Principals, Program Leaders, Regular Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, EL Teachers, Specialist Teachers, School Administrative Assistants, Paraprofessionals, and Contracted Service Agencies such as YMCA, Chartwells. We've received feedback on

• Staff Spaces
• Classroom Spaces (K-5, Special Education, EL, Interventionists, Specialist)
• Storage Areas
• Food Service
• Building Exterior & School Grounds
• Main Office
• Common Areas (LMC, Commons, Gym, Sensory Room)
• Restroom Facilities

Sandy Slope Elementary’s groundbreaking was held on October 16, 2023. We were thrilled to kick off the construction of our newest school with the community and the Van Handel family in attendance. Read more here.

See renderings here: Sandy Slope Site Plan, Building Exterior, Classrooms

The next steps for Sandy Slope are

• Geothermal Feasibility Study: We are proceeding with geothermal for heating and cooling as we received positive results from our feasibility study.
• Safe Routes to School Development: We continue to work on safe routes to school in conjunction with the City of Appleton, Hoffman, Traffic Engineers from raSmith, Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department, and the team from East Central Safe Routes to School.
• Finalizing and Reviewing Construction Documents (plans and specifications): The project is currently in the bid phase. We hope to have final costs in place by the middle to end of January. Site work is expected to start in February with concrete foundations in March.

Middle School Additions
Construction at each of the middle schools has begun. The middle school projects serve two main purposes: 

• expanding the buildings to welcome 6th-grade students
• renovating spaces to accommodate STEM-centered spaces and modernizing other parts of their buildings.

Last fall’s referendum included the move of 6th grade from the elementary schools to the 3 middle schools (Kaleidoscope Academy is already a 6th-8th grade building). The district has been communicating with current 5th and 6th-grade students (next year’s 6th and 7th graders) and their families about the upcoming transition to Madison, Einstein, and Wilson middle schools. To support this process, we have a series of activities and information sessions designed to familiarize students and families with the new academic environment and expectations, including Middle School Family Orientation Nights for 5th and 6th-grade families.  

Middle School staff members have also been visiting 5th and 6th grade elementary classrooms to talk about middle school courses and clubs and share with students their class scheduling options. 

We are committed to providing a supportive and nurturing middle school environment that fosters academic success and a sense of belonging for our students. We believe that with the combined efforts of our schools and families, our 5th and 6th graders will smoothly transition into middle school and thrive in their new environment.  

Read on for more specific progress relating to each middle school building:

Einstein Middle School 
Einstein’s projects include a new cafeteria seating area and a two-story classroom addition. The existing Technical Education Center was remodeled to accommodate the new STEM curriculum and the new STEM room is pictured below. Staff and students began using the new STEM facilities in late October.

Kaleidoscope Academy 
KA is undergoing two separate additions to the existing building, along with a remodeled STEM area. This includes a single-story classroom addition and a new auxiliary gymnasium. The main office will also be relocated to enhance building security.

Madison Middle School 
On the north side, a single-story addition adjacent to Calumet Street will include new accessible fitness and orchestra areas, as well as two classrooms. On the southeast side, a two-story classroom addition is being built. The existing STEM rooms are also undergoing remodeling.

Wilson Middle School
Wilson’s projects include a large two-story addition with new classrooms and an auxiliary gymnasium. The existing STEM areas will be redeveloped, and the main office complex will be relocated to improve building security and accessibility for the public.

High Schools
High school project planning has begun and all three high schools have been holding User Group Meetings. North has concluded its User Group Meetings and is currently working on design development. 

Elementary School Projects
Planning work at elementary schools is scheduled to start in the summer of 2024. It will focus on various projects, including 

• establishing STEM spaces in each school
• enhancing security measures at Ferber and Houdini
• facilitating the expansion of Classical School (this planning began in fall 2023)