By Bridget Bartal
Staff Writer
The Elkhorn Area School District’s Referendum projects are expected to conclude during the beginning of the school year this fall.
The second referendum was passed in the fall of 2016 and construction began during the spring of 2017.
The referendum includes a new greenhouse, an agility center, tennis courts, updated classrooms, auditorium renovations and a turf field – all at Elkhorn Area High School. These are only a few of many updates that the referendum offers.
Many groups of local students will benefit from these changes, according to district officials.
“Different students are excited about different parts of the referendum. Theatre students are excited about the auditorium; athletes are excited about the agility center,” Associate Principle and Athletic Director Dan Kiel said.
“If you look at all these additions, there is something for everyone,” Kiel added.
The agility center, weight room and eight tennis courts are all new to the school. These facilities have already been in use by Elkhorn Area School District students through the summer school program.
The plant science facility at the high school is completed and in use and features two greenhouses: a traditional greenhouse, and a hydroponics aeroponics greenhouse. Hydroponics allows the cultivation of plants in water while aeroponics features a fine, nutrient-rich mist to feed and water plants. The facility will allow students to grow produce such as lettuce and tomatoes that will help support the culinary arts and school lunch programs.
The referendum also included updates at Elkhorn Area Middle School. These include a special education area, as well as speech and language classrooms.
Most of the district referendum is complete, but there are a few features still in the process of being finished.
“We are putting in a turf field, resurfacing the track, finishing the softball diamond and working on middle school parking,” Kiel said.
District Superintendent Jason Tadlock said the staff are looking forward to the conclusion of the project, which is expected to wrap up at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year.
“We’re excited to see the construction finished. Then the community can view the final product of the referendum they supported,” Tadlock said.
Kiel imparted a similar sentiment.
“You can see the result of the referendum, and now everyone’s just waiting to get on the equipment,” Kiel said.
More information on the referendum is available on the Elkhorn Area School District’s website at elkhorn.k12.wi.us/.
