The most recent bid package (#6) for our new middle school came in under budget and has been approved by the Board. This package included work for the:

• Building envelope

• Building finishes

• Mechanical

• Electrical

• Plumbing

The Board was also provided a progress update and a look at what to expect next as construction gets underway – which includes work on footings, foundations, parking lot, sewer work, and wall fabrication.

Click here to see the board presentation. Questions on the bidding process should be directed to bwarren@nexussolutions.com.

Bid Results have been approved by the board for the following scopes of work:

Excavation, Site Demo, Landscaping

Site Utilities

Asphalt Paving & Striping

Site Concrete

Foundation Concrete

The next scope of work out for bid is:

Electrical Equipment (Supply electrical equipment as shown on drawings and/ or detailed in specifications)

Bids accepted through August 30, 2023, 2 pm

Bid Inquiries submitted to jfreiburger@nexussolutions.com

JUNE 5 MEETING: the Oconto Falls Board of Education met in a special session to receive an updates on the design and budget estimate of the new middle school project. In that meeting, the board was made aware by staff from Nexus Solutions that the project was receiving budget estimates that would require either modification to the plan to reduce cost or a decision by the board to allocate fiscal resources in the form of interest earnings to cover an estimated budgetary shortfall. A design modification option was proposed to board members to consider removing the fitness center from the middle school project as a cost-saving measure. The special meeting was intended to provide board members with the information and then ask them to consider taking action at the regular board meeting on June 12, 2023.

JUNE 12 MEETING: the Oconto Falls Board of Education met in a regular session to discuss the potential options to address the estimated budgetary shortfall for the new middle school. After considerable conversation, the board took action to keep the fitness center in the design and, if needed, allocate the financial resources necessary to cover the budgetary shortfall. It was also noted at the meeting:

• when actual bids come in the Board has the option of a redesign if budget is beyond what the board is willing to support

• if a redesign were needed it would impact the project timeline

On May 9, the District Design Team provided our community with an update on the new Middle School design progress. The Team spent time outlining the project non-negotiables, presenting the 50% floor plans and site plans, as well as explaining what to expect as the design process continues and they work to finalize designs within the budget approved by our community.

Attendees got a chance to hear the details and ask questions during the session. For those of you unable to attend, click here to watch the video of the event.

Design work continues on the New Middle School, with the most recent updates provided to the Board of Education on March 13, 2023. In addition to getting guidance from the Board, our 7th graders shared their vision for an “Ideal Middle School” during an evening at our current Middle School. Watch the video clip on the left to see what’s important to them!

Over the next 60 days, the Design Team will be busy developing a site plan, continuing user group and team meetings, updating the Board on floor plans and exterior elevations, and then sharing the floor plans with our community. Watch for more information on the public presentation time and date later this Spring.

The District Design Team’s February 14 Meeting was used to review feedback from the recent school visits and use that information to guide discussions on effective designs for our new middle school.

The team also outlined design goals and non-negotiables that will be used as guiding principles throughout the design process as we engage different user groups.

Click here to view Goals & Non Negotiables.

If you have any questions or comments on these guiding principles, please contact Dean Hess, Superintendent of Schools.

On January 25, the District Design Team visited three surrounding area middle schools – West De Pere, Clintonville, Luxemburg-Casco – to gather meaningful, first-hand information on different designs, layouts, and interior/exterior finishes as we begin the design process for our new middle school. All three of these Districts provided an opportunity for our team to:

• Observe modern learning spaces, constructed under similar budgets, with students in them.

• Understand how design decisions will serve staff and students now and into the future.

These observations will be reviewed as a team at our next District Design Team Meeting, so stay tuned for more updates on the design process.

As the design process gets underway for the new middle school, we want to share some updates so far:

• On January 3, the District Design Team participated in The Third Teacher Book Exercise, facilitated by Nexus Solutions to discuss desired attributes of the new Oconto Falls Middle School. The exercise included Administration, Staff, Parents, and Community Members.

• On January 25, the District Design Team will be visiting middle schools in surrounding school districts to look at different designs, layouts, and interior/exterior finishes as we begin the design process.

Ongoing design activities this month include:

• Reviewing Oconto Falls Middle School Program against National Education Standards to determine quantity and sizes of spaces required.

• Generating a preliminary floor plan for District Design Team review and comment. After a preliminary floor plan review, the plan will be added to this page and presented to the public.

After gaining community support to move forward, the District’s Administrative Team met with Nexus Solutions to review the design process and next steps, as well as project scope and schedule. A preliminary project timeline can be found here.

Bryan Baumler  (Board Member, Community Member, and Parent)

Michael Bouche (Building and Grounds Supervisor, Community Member, and Parent)

Jonathan Dunks (Middle School Assistant Principal and Community Member)

Dean Hess (Superintendent and Community Member)

Corey Jeffers (Director of Technology)

Ginny O'Harrow (Community Member and Parent)

Greg Kuhn (Community Member and Parent)

Stephanie Landreman (Middle School Principal)

Ashley Maederer (Middle School Teacher, Community Member, and Parent)

Kim Sinclair (District Business Manager, Community Member, and Parent)

Emilie Trudell (Community Member and Parent)

Tami Umentum (Middle School Teacher, Community Member, and Parent)

Debbie Woods (Operations Supervisor, Community Member, and Parent)