The School District of Howards Grove Hosts Groundbreaking at Middle-High School Construction Project

HOWARDS GROVE, Wis. – (May 16, 2024) – The School District of Howards Grove held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, May 16, 2024, to celebrate the start of construction for the Middle-High School renovations/additions and Tennis/Track improvements.

Superintendent Shannon Kilton speaking at Howards Grove School District MS-HS Groundbreaking Project with CD Smith Construction

Superintendent Shannon Kilton welcomed school staff, business sponsors, parents, the public and students. The event featured a brief program with comments from key individuals, including Nicholas Kent, Partner at Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA); Will Theisen, Project Manager at C.D. Smith; Jon Hess, Howards Grove High School (HGHS) Principal, and the HGHS Student Council; Angie Houston, HG Middle School (HGMS) Principal, and the HGMS Student Council; and Third-Grade Students who will be among the first to attend the newly completed Middle School in the fall of 2025.

School Board Members at Howards Grove School District Groundbreaking Project with CD Smith Construction

The School District of Howards Grove Board Members kicked off the symbolic turning of the dirt, followed by School Administrators, Third-Grade Students from Northview Elementary, the Middle and High School Student Councils, Business Sponsors and project team members from PRA and C.D. Smith. Business sponsor representation included ceremony participants from Kohler Credit Union, National Exchange Bank, Cleveland State Bank & Employee Alumni, and Parker Johns.

Students at Howards Grove School District Groundbreaking Project with CD Smith Construction

The groundbreaking ceremony commemorated the start of construction for the new Middle School addition to the High School, a keystone part of the projects funded by the successful November 2022 referendum for district-wide improvements. A C.D. Smith crane set the stage for the event and heavy excavating equipment was already on-site, operating at a safe distance from observers. Notably, the first concrete pour coincided with the groundbreaking ceremony, with excavation crews clearing and preparing the site for the middle school addition.

05-CD-Smith-Construction-workers-with-crane-and-heavy-equipment-excavating-and-prepping-for-concrete-pour-at-Howards-Grove-School-District-project

Other aspects of the referendum will include a secure entrance addition to the existing High School with office spaces, systems and safety improvements to the existing high school and elementary school, and exterior athletic improvements on the new Middle/High School grounds. Demolition of the existing tennis courts is scheduled to begin on May 22nd. The courts will be demolished, resurfaced with new asphalt and pavement and outfitted with new fencing. This project is anticipated to be completed by August 13th, before the first day of fall practice.

Construction site sign with renderings of Howards Grove Middle School exterior entrance and interior gym with PRA and CD Smith logos and tiger mascot

The additions and renovations at Howards Grove Middle-High School, the existing High School and Northview Elementary, and district-wide improvements to the athletic facilities and grounds will ensure optimal class sizes and provide students with modern learning spaces and extracurricular experiences. Superintendent Kilton expressed heartfelt gratitude to the business sponsors and the greater community for their contributions and support in recognizing the importance of providing students with the spaces they need to learn, explore and thrive.

Architects and building project team members at Howards Grove School District Groundbreaking Project with CD Smith Construction