The Kaukauna Area School District broke ground Monday on its new $169 million middle school, which will be located next to the existing Kaukauna High School. The new school will replace River View Middle School when it opens for the 2028-29 school year.

New Facilities and Opportunities

Two future Kaukauna Middle School students, Jordyn Neerhof and Marley Vande Voort, shared their excitement about the new school. Neerhof mentioned the bigger spaces and new opportunities, while Vande Voort looked forward to new learning experiences.

The new middle school will be able to serve up to 1,200 students and will feature classrooms, science and technology labs, culinary spaces, a commons/cafeteria, a three-court gymnasium, and a fitness area. The district will also build an outdoor physical education field, football and track facilities, and a pedestrian tunnel.

Community Impact

The construction of the new school will cost property taxpayers about $73 per $100,000 of property value per year. Voters approved a referendum to build the school in November 2024. According to Superintendent Mike Slowinski, the new school will provide efficiencies for the district and give kids more opportunities to access facilities in both the middle and high schools.

River View Middle School, which is over 100 years old, will eventually be replaced due to major accessibility issues. The city is exploring possibilities for the site, including housing, retail, or other uses.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.