South Washington County is growing, and that means school renovations.
Approved in a $200 million bond referendum back in 2023, several school building projects are now underway in South Washington County.
Split between safety and security enhancements at secondary schools ($160 million) and funding to address elementary school space at schools projected to exceed capacity ($40 million), the school improvements have started at area high and middle schools, with elementary school improvements still in the planning phase.
Included in the 2023 bond referendum but separate from building projects was a 10 year technology projects levy to create a dedicated funding stream for technology related expenses, increasing funding from $2.8 million to $5 million for the next 10 years.
ISD 833 Director of Communications and Community Relations Shawn Hogendorf meanwhile shared more on where building projects stand in the district.
“So far we have approved bid packages for East Ridge, Park and Woodbury high schools, along with Oltman, Woodbury, Cottage Grove and Lake middle schools,” he said. “Several of our elementary school projects are still out for bids through early-December. Kraus-Anderson is our Construction Manager for all of our projects. They are working with Koma and Wold Architects.”
Design and planning for projects at secondary schools began in 2024, with construction now underway. Elementary school projects are being planing now, with construction to start in 2026. Construction concludes in 2027.
Hogendorf said the total bond construction cost for projects as of Nov. 30 is $68,194,621.
“The total bond construction costs paid to date (11/30/25) is $68,194,621,” he said.
A closer rundown for each school shows where that money is going.
Current updates for Park High School off 80th Street South include a bus road through the Crestview lot open for afternoon traffic, lecture hall and new administration area in use with temporary tables, new footings to the addition complete, a new nurse office up and running, and a temporary greeter desk now operational. Additional updates at Park High include installation of the ceiling grid in Areas H and G for offices near the front entrance after inspections for electrical, mechanical, and fire suppression were passes, as well as underground plumbing and electrical work underway as insulation and roofing material are being installed in the new addition. Delivery of new furniture is also in view among Park High updates.
At Woodbury High on Woodlane Drive, construction updates include completion of the structural walls for the addition, completion of underground utilities, and Door 16 up and running.
As for East Ridge High School on Pioneer Drive, construction updates include installation of new pod carpet and hard furniture, footings started in Q,R, and S for the new addition, a Fiber splice, completion of parking lot work marching band lines complete in parking lot, and work on Area L.
Updates at Oltman Middle School on Goodview Avenue South meanwhile include a new parent drop off and pick up lane being established, curb and gutter near the bus turnaround, completion of work on deep underground underground utilities in Area C, and a crane on site earlier this year for more precast work. Also included at Oltman is pouring of concrete floors for the storm shelter, and installation of block work, steel columns, bearing and roof bar joist for the new classroom addition.
Updates to Cottage Grove Middle School off Indian Boulevard South include the beginning of tree removal, site clearing for the new addition, as well as footing excavation and pouring and installation of the steel columns and beams for the new addition.
As for Lake Middle School off Pioneer Drive, current work updates include completed tree removal, site clearing for the new addition, excavation and pouring of footings, as well as opening of the Pioneer and Lake roundabout.
Improvements at Woodbury Middle School on School Drive include a new bus lane road completed prior to school start, retention area landscaping work, prep work for new grass in fields between schools, and new doors cut into the multipurpose and storage rooms. Also at Woodbury Middle is a new floor in the new storage room, new bus lane signage, concrete pour for the back of the school, completed infills in the garage and orchestra rooms, and exterior doors cut into the new garage area.
Elementary updates in the district are making their way through the planning phase and approval process with local governments, with Grey Cloud Elementary recently undergoing a site plan review Nov. 5 by the Cottage Grove Council. Additions include a classroom and gymnasium additions, stormwater pond, proposed playground relocation, and removal of a drive lane and 10 parking stalls. Grey Cloud is but one of many elementary schools looking at construction projects, with others including Bailey, Red Rock, Pine Hill, Crestview, Hillside, Pullman, and Royal Oaks Elementary. Project plans vary by school.
Also in school construction news, meanwhile, work continues on the district’s new Next Steps Transition and Pathways building at Jamaica Avenue and 70 Street South, formerly Light the Way Church. Current work for the new Next Steps Transition and Pathways building includes demolition of the roof over the existing building and blockwork for the new addition, set to be 9,000 square feet when completed. The facility as planned will feature a culinary lab, maker space, horticulture learning leap and work-based experience spaces, as well as a multipurpose room and specialized sensory spaces with embedded sensory supports in classrooms. Plans for the new Next Steps Transition and Pathways building also include outdoor learning spaces and gardens for students to use, with Next Steps completion planned in 2026. Light the Way currently meets up the road at 7000 Hinton Avenue.
Still in process, school updates continue across the South Washington County School District.