GREEN BAY, Wis. — Standing in the middle of a multi-use gymnasium, Chappell Elementary School Principal Kris Worden is looking forward to the changes planned for this school.
Among those changes is a new gym.
“This is our gym, cafeteria, musical performance area,” she said. “Anytime all the grade levels want to do an activity together, this is the only big space for a whole grade level or two grade levels to come together.”
Many of the high-profile changes at Chappell will offer more — and updated — space for students and staff.
“We’ll be getting a dedicated cafeteria space,” Worden said. “Our biggest addition is going to be a new gym along with some community space for different providers. We’re moving our arts and music classrooms out there as well. We’re going to gain a STEM room, which we do not currently have.”
Green Bay voters approved a $183 million referendum earlier this month.
The referendum will be used to make fixes to buildings — ranging from replacing aging floors and electrical equipment — as well as expanding and revamping several primary schools.
Projects also include money for security improvements at secondary schools and a new west-side elementary school. The work comes as the district realigns its number of schools.
Cale Pulczinski, the district’s chief operating officer, said meeting Americans With Disabilities Act compliance is one of the focal points of the planned work.
“Doors and door hardware is going to be a big one,” he said. “There are going to be some roofs and some windows being replaced, things like that.”
Phased work on some of the projects is expected to start this summer. Pulczinski said plans call for the scope of work across all district buildings to wrap up in 2028.
“We’re excited to get into the fine details now and really define what these projects look like down to the finest detail,” he said.
At Chappell, there will be additional classroom space and a new paved loop around the school designed to improve safety for student drop off and pick up.
“There is going to be so much less stress in the morning and after school for staff, for students and for families,” Worden said. “I think this is going to be up there with the gym.”