TL;DR Summary

Rosendale-Brandon School District celebrated a ribbon-cutting on September 13, 2025. The morning opened at 10:15 with the pep band, followed by a 10:30 program with student performances and remarks from district and community leaders. The event marked the completion of multi-phase referendum work at Laconia Elementary and Laconia High School/Middle School. Guests toured new and modernized spaces designed for safety, flexibility and collaborative learning. This milestone reflects years of planning, community support and construction progress that began in October 2023.

District and school leaders hold the golden ribbon under the Laconia Spartans sign to mark the completion of referendum projects.

Building What Students Need: Rosendale-Brandon Celebrates Ribbon Cutting

Every ribbon cut signals more than the opening of a door. It opens new opportunities for students, educators and the community that backed the vision.

Families and community members gather outside the Laconia school entrance under the canopy with a thank-you sign during the ribbon cutting.

On Saturday, September 13, 2025 the Rosendale-Brandon School District marked a milestone years in the making. The celebration recognized the completion of referendum improvements at Laconia Elementary and Laconia High School/Middle School with students, families, staff and neighbors filling the commons to share the moment.

The Laconia High School pep band performs outside during the Rosendale-Brandon ribbon-cutting ceremony.

A Moment Worth Celebrating

The morning began at 10:15 with a performance by the high school pep band welcoming guests. At 10:30 the program opened with the national anthem sung by the choir.

Laconia students sing under the direction of their teacher during the ribbon cutting celebration for the Rosendale-Brandon referendum project.

Superintendent Wayne Weber welcomed attendees and introduced speakers including the school board president, representatives from PRA and C.D. Smith and principals from each school. The ribbon-cutting followed with students and staff at the center of the celebration and the school song performed by the band.

Rosendale-Brandon Superintendent addresses attendees outside Laconia High School with the pep band behind him during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

After the ribbon was cut, attendees toured the new and remodeled spaces, including the high school classroom wing, gymnasiums, common areas and secure entries. “Then and now” signs throughout the tours showed the change from outdated spaces into light-filled modern learning environments with areas for collaboration, hands-on learning and student support.

Families and students gather inside the renovated Laconia Commons to see the new cafeteria and seating areas during the Rosendale-Brandon ribbon cutting.

Project History: From Referendum to Reality

Work began in fall 2023 and progressed through the 2023-2024 and 2024–2025 school years. Monthly updates tracked milestones from structural work and interior buildouts to technology, security and finishes.

Community members and a family with a young child tour the new Laconia school commons overlooking the gym during the ribbon cutting.

The plan included:

Expanding Laconia Middle and High School with updated labs and classrooms, improved commons and support spaces for programs that connect learning with real-world skills
Renovating Rosendale Intermediate School to serve all elementary students
Creating a centrally located campus with a connection road and additional parking

Construction began in October 2023 and progressed through multiple phases:

Laconia High School/Middle School: New classroom wing, gym, commons, secure entry, office space and renovations to existing areas
Laconia Elementary School: New classroom addition, remodeled front office, upgraded HVAC systems and a new playground
Campus Improvements: Connection road, parking expansions and site utilities

These upgrades represent the completion of the district’s referendum commitment to create safe, flexible and future-ready learning spaces.

Attendees look through windows into the new Laconia Spartans gymnasium during school tours at the ribbon cutting.

Why It Matters: What This Means for the School

For students, the new and renovated spaces mean more than building updates and new facilities. Flexible classrooms help teachers adjust for different learning needs. Collaborative areas invite small group work and projects. Secure entries and updated systems support safety. The result is a connected environment that helps students learn, grow and belong.

District leaders and staff hold the ceremonial ribbon in front of the new Laconia school entrance during the Rosendale-Brandon ribbon cutting celebration.

For the community, the ribbon cutting represents the fulfillment of a promise. Supported by voters, the referendum was an investment in education, and its completion stands as proof of what’s possible when a community comes together.

Rosendale-Brandon School District leaders, students and community members cut the ribbon in front of Laconia High School during the referendum celebration.

Ribbon Cutting Highlights

Pep band welcome at 10:15 set the tone for a community celebration
Program at 10:30 with the choir and remarks from district and community leaders
Ribbon cutting with students and staff to mark project completion
Tours of new and renovated spaces with then and now context

Families, students and community members gather under the new Laconia school entrance canopy during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Key Takeaways

🤝 Community Impact: Support became modern learning environments that serve students today and set up future generations for success.

🚀 Future-Ready Spaces: Flexible classrooms, collaborative areas, secure entries and updated systems align facilities with how students learn best.

🎓 Student Experience: Tours showed the difference students see every day. Brighter rooms, better flow and spaces that welcome curiosity and connection.

✂️ Celebration: Music, speakers and a ribbon cutting recognized the work of many hands and the pride of a community that invested in its schools.

###

Date: September 19, 2025 | Author: Tracy Lisowe

«•»

Follow C.D. Smith ON SOCIAL

#CDSmith #ThinkSafeWorkSafe