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 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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