Student-Centered Construction: The K-12 Education Summer Project Schedule

At CG Schmidt, we understand the importance of prioritizing student learning and the educational experience. Since the completion of our first project for the School District of Brown Deer in 1957, we have completed hundreds of projects for more than 45 public school districts and dozens of private schools, resulting in over $1.3 billion in education construction projects. Our passion for enhancing the learning experience and improving the lives of students, staff and community members through our work remains at the forefront of our mission. Our goal is twofold — to provide the best educational facilities and to preserve the best possible learning environment throughout the construction process.

When it comes to student success, every day counts. With innovative scheduling and our dedicated K-12 construction crews, a seamless and minimally invasive construction experience is possible. See the following recently completed projects for a detailed account of our commitment to student-centered construction.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF WISCONSIN DELLS
Performing Arts Center

Wisconsin Dells, WI | $14.1 M | June 2022 – August 2023

This 32,500 SF auditorium designed for students and community members seats 700. During the school year, the project team parked in separate lots from student and staff, began with the least invasive portions of the facility and did not once need to enter the adjacent school building. Because parking and learning were not disrupted, students maintained daily routines despite ongoing construction. The more invasive work of connecting the performing arts facility to the school building occurred throughout the summer and completed before school resumed.

RACINE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Hammes Field & Julian Thomas Elementary School

Racine, WI | $600.0 M | May 2022 – Ongoing

Acting as Construction Manager as Advisor and part of a larger $600 million referendum that improves each of the district’s 28 school facilities, construction on Hammes Field and Julian Thomas Elementary School was primarily completed over summer months. Hammes Field received new turf fields, a digital scoreboard, concessions stands, restrooms and bleachers. Located near Case High School, the project team completed as much work as possible during summer months to minimize disruption before school resumed session, although work is ongoing. Julian Thomas Elementary School simultaneously received safety and security updates, ADA accessibility improvements and a STEM lab and maker space along with general infrastructure improvements and building maintenance.

ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Additions, Replacements & Upgrades

St. Francis, WI | $25.5 M | May 2022 – September 2023

District-wide construction completed right on schedule and just in time to welcome students back to school. Willow Glen Elementary received renovations to emergency power, air conditioning and other minor updates. Deer Creek Intermediate received a cafeteria addition, air conditioning, site upgrades and extensive sitework. St. Francis High School received technology additions, air conditioning, gym bleacher replacements, a restroom building and ADA ramp for stadium and tennis court replacements. With simultaneous work occurring across the district, the CG Schmidt team organized and ensured construction was completed efficiently in alignment with a rigid project schedule.

FORT ATKINSON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Security Updates & Roof Replacements

Fort Atkinson, WI | $1.0 M | June 2023 – August 2023

Fort Atkinson School District received safety updates to bolster security at the district middle school, high school and district office. Two partial roof replacements at two elementary schools were upgraded and additional facility updates will take place throughout the 2024-2025 school year.

MUSKEGO-NORWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Building Additions & Parking Lot Expansions

Muskego, WI | $41.0 M | April 2023 – September 2024

While referendum work continues throughout the district — a result of the April 2022 vote that passed with 61.3% in support — additions and parking expansion concluded before students returned to school this fall. The majority of interior finishes are scheduled for the upcoming summer break so as not to overlap with classroom learning. Lakeview Elementary will receive a gymnasium addition, Muskego High School will receive additions for health science, a practice facility and a STEAM addition and expanded parking lot.

Follow the link for more on CG Schmidt’s successful referendum history with Muskego-Norway School District.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LODI
Track Replacement

Lodi, WI | $1.0 M | June 2023 – October 2023

The district track received a new storm water drainage system, pole vault runway, long/triple jump pits and a sidewalk replacement. CG Schmidt coordinated with conference track and field athletics and adjusted the project and delivery schedule to reduce impact on student athlete’s routines, giving extra consideration to traffic in the surrounding area and collaborating with the district to minimize disturbance.

CG Schmidt, a family-owned company since 1920, is a leader in quality construction management, general construction, and design-build services with offices in Wisconsin and Arizona. The company serves the markets of education, healthcare, senior living, multi-family, corporate, industrial, community and religious facilities. As a fifth generation, family-owned construction firm, CG Schmidt is a respected industry leader. The company has built a reputation for tackling the most complex and recognizable, helping to shape skylines and create quality, state-of-the-art buildings in communities across the nation. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.cgschmidt.com.

Contact us with your next K-12 construction project.

Please note, a revised statement in this article regarding Hammes Field was made to clarify that construction is ongoing as of November 2023, and that construction at Hammes Field was not completed over the summer months.