Building Momentum: School District of Rhinelander Construction Update
SUMMER CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - PROGRESS ACROSS THE DISTRICT
RHINELANDER, Wis. – (June 2025) – Just a few months after breaking ground, the School District of Rhinelander’s construction and renovation project is ahead of schedule and under budget.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
At Rhinelander High School (RHS), the vision for a modern, hands-on technical education experience is taking shape in real time, and progress is visible.
- Auto Lab: The new automotive lab building now has a roof, and the freshly poured concrete floor is ready for the next phase.
- Construction Lab: Walls are up and ready for joists and a roof, with work moving steadily forward.
- Science Classrooms: Demolition is wrapping up, paving the way for brand new science rooms set to be completed this summer.
The high school’s project scope includes new construction and auto labs, fully renovated tech ed classrooms with modern labs for building sciences, CAD/CAM, HVAC, auto, and small engine repair, plus the installation of new equipment.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MOMENTUM
Over at James Williams Middle School (JWMS), construction progress is equally impressive:
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The old front exterior wall has been replaced with a new firewall.
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Demolition crews have gutted the office area, making room for a new, secure entrance expected to be finished by the start of the school year.
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The middle school will receive dedicated and improved spaces for technical education, and classrooms throughout the building are being prepped for upgrades in art, music, family and consumer sciences, special education, and health.
JWMS’s renovations are designed to lay the groundwork for future success in high school technical education, with dedicated classrooms for industrial tech, coding, and early fabrication skills.
COMMUNITY-DRIVEN, STUDENT-FOCUSED
This $26 million referendum project, approved by more than 66% of voters in April 2024, is a direct response to feedback from local employers and the community. It emphasizes the importance of preparing students for careers in the trades and beyond.
“We’re all excited because we know that one- it helps our students, and two- it helps our community,” Rhinelander superintendent Eric Burke said.
C.D. Smith Construction Superintendent Jason Zweifel confirmed that the classrooms are scheduled to be done by the school year, with the labs completed during the fall semester. “Summer months are very busy, so we’ve got a lot to get done to have things ready for the students to be back in early September,” Zwiefel said.
LOOKING AHEAD
With each milestone, the School District of Rhinelander moves closer to delivering modern, future-ready spaces for students and staff, building momentum for the future of learning and the community.
Stay tuned for more updates as these renovations continue to take shape.
Date: June 25, 2025 | Author: Tracy Lisowe
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From Groundbreaking to Career Building: The School District of Rhinelander
BREAKING GROUND AND BUILDING THE FUTURE
RHINELANDER, Wis. – (Apr. 7, 2025) – The School District of Rhinelander hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, April 7, 2025, to mark the start of construction at Rhinelander High School (RHS) and James Williams Middle School (JWMS). The improvements will expand and renovate hands-on learning spaces—especially in technical education—while also bringing significant upgrades to science, art, music, family and consumer science, and special education classrooms.
The event featured a brief program with speeches from key individuals, including Eric Burke, Superintendent of The School District of Rhinelander; Shane Dornfeld, Principal of Rhinelander High School (RHS); Kyle Raleigh, Principal of James Williams Middle School (JWMS); and remarks from Bray Architects and C.D. Smith Construction.
The ceremony, held in front of the High School, culminated with the symbolic turning of the dirt.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS | TECH ED LEADS THE WAY
This project has been in the works since April 2024, when voters approved a $26 million referendum to fund facility updates that support student learning and career readiness.
At the heart of the project: expanding and upgrading the high school's technical education areas. These spaces, some dating back to 1958, will be revamped to provide students with modern equipment, flexible learning spaces, and opportunities to explore careers in welding, woodworking, design, fabrication and more.
MORE THAN TECH ED
While Tech Ed is a big part of the project, it’s just one part of preparing students for future careers with almost-real-world experience through hands-on, modern learning environments. Other improvements include:
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Modernized science classrooms at RHS
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Updated art, music, and FACS rooms at JWMS
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Expanded and improved special education areas
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A new and secure entry and office space at JWMS
BREAKING GROUND—AND EXPLORING CAREERS
A few short weeks after the groundbreaking, students at Rhinelander High School had another opportunity to look toward the future during the school’s Career Fair on April 30. C.D. Smith Superintendent Jason Zwiefel spent time talking with students about careers in the trades and what it’s like to build projects like the one unfolding just outside their classroom windows.
It was a perfect follow-up to the groundbreaking—a real-time example of how learning connects to life beyond high school.
Date: May 2, 2025 | Author: Tracy Lisowe
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The School District of Rhinelander | BUILDING PROJECTS and NEWS
Rhinelander schools adding upgrades to tech education | WSAW NewsChannel 7 06.25.2025
RHS, JWMS referendum construction ahead of schedule and under budget | The Northwoods River News 06.20.2025
Improvements to high school, middle school become more visible
Rhinelander School District embarks on Tech-Ed renovations with groundbreaking ceremony | WJFW Channel 12 News 04.08.2025
School District of Rhinelander breaks ground on multimillion-dollar facilities upgrade | WXPR Public Radio 04.08.2025
School District of Rhinelander to break ground on construction project Monday | WSAW Channel 7 04.07.2025
Rhinelander School District Hosting Groundbreaking Monday Afternoon | WJJQ Northwoods 92.5 04.07.2025
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