What Will Happen Next?
By Janna Stevens
THANK YOU Superior citizens! As the Superintendent for the School District of Superior, I want to thank the entire Superior community for their support of our building referendum. The successful vote on April 5, 2016 demonstrated that our community cares about our schools, our students and our staff.
We know the impact schools have on a community. In cities where schools have closed, businesses have closed. In cities where schools are inadequate, businesses close. People want to live and work in a successful community. All entities in successful communities work collaboratively to ensure the health of the area.
As stated in the Chamber of Commerce resolution of support for the referendum,
“The School District of Superior’s plan for the improvement and replacement of the schools will greatly enhance their role in the community and provide a much needed economic development tool that will provide significant economic benefits to the Superior & Douglas County Area.”
It is an exciting time for Superior, Wisconsin! We have a lot of work ahead of us in the School District, but this is good work that will benefit students, staff and the community for years to come.
As of the writing of this article, the district is in the process of completing topographic land and utility surveys as well as geo-technical explorations. These are necessary first steps to understand the condition and area of the land on which we will be building.
We are also in the process of designing a new Cooper elementary and the major renovations at Superior High School. During the month of May, all staff from both buildings will be meeting with LHB to ensure the design meets the high academic expectations we hold in the School District of Superior.
Our goal is to have several projects completed over the summer and fall of 2016. The projects will include new roofs, new paving lots, a new turf field and secure entrances. As we outlined in our presentations and on our SuperiorReferendum.com website, all of these projects are essential.
Bryant and Great Lakes staff and students will be excited to have new roofs for the 2016-2017 school year. No more rain in the classroom!!
Four Corners and Lake Superior Elementary will finally have adequate and safe parking/paving areas. No more parking a half a mile away from Four Corners on highway B to attend families events!
Our softball team and our physical education staff will have a turf field which will allow them to play games and hold classes. No more cancellations due to a soggy field!
For the start of the 2016-2017 school year, all of our school buildings will have enhanced security to provide a safe and secure environment (Cooper and SHS will have secure entrances as a part of their construction). Some of the projects may spill over into the start of the year, but with good weather and good companies we are hopeful to have all projects completed by Winter Break of 2016.
Spring of 2017 will be a time of celebration with the groundbreaking at Cooper Elementary and Superior High School. Throughout the summer and fall, the community will be able to see the new structures take form.
Cooper is scheduled to be fully complete and ready for the start of the 2018/2019 school year. Superior High School is slated to be fully complete for the start of the 2019/2020 school year. We will be hosting various public events throughout the projects for the community to join with the district to celebrate.
Again, it is an exciting time for the Superior Community!
Sincerely,
Janna Stevens
District Administrator
School District of Superior
