Borg Report November 21, 2024

I want to share some important updates from the November 18, 2024 Westonka School Board meeting. These updates reflect key decisions and exciting developments that will shape the future of Westonka Public Schools and continue to support the success and growth of our students. Please read on for more details, and as always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or feedback.

Board Approves Renaming of Middle and High School for 2025-26

In a move designed to bring consistency and a sense of unity across our schools and community, the Westonka School Board voted Monday to approve the renaming of Mound Westonka High School and Grandview Middle School. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, the schools will be known as Westonka High School and Westonka Middle School, respectively. This change reflects our ongoing efforts to streamline our district branding and create a more cohesive and easily recognizable identity. Westonka’s primary school names - Hilltop and Shirley Hills - remain unchanged.

The decision follows a comprehensive branding review conducted earlier this year, which identified significant inconsistencies surrounding the names of the district's schools. The research and feedback we received clearly pointed to the need for a more unified and easily recognizable brand. While the name changes represent a forward-looking step, the school board and district are committed to honoring our schools’ rich history and the many achievements of past generations of students and staff. Together, we continue to build on the legacy that the graduates of Mound High School and Mound Westonka High School created.

The board's decision comes at a strategic time, as the district is preparing to start major construction projects at both the middle and high school this spring. By aligning the name changes with the renovation work, we will be able to implement the new names with minimal additional cost.

Board Approves Bids for High School Redesign

The board also took an important step in our bond-funded construction projects Monday night by approving bids for the high school redesign. The scope of this project includes deferred maintenance, security improvements, renovations to the entire building and added square footage, all aimed at enhancing the learning environment and improving functionality, safety and pride.

I am pleased to report that bids for the high school project came in under projections, putting us in a favorable position to deliver on all of the communicated bond projects. Our construction management firm, Kraus-Anderson, is currently vetting the lowest qualified bidders and is in the process of awarding contracts. The board approved the first round of bid packages for the high school on Monday. We expect to award the remaining bids by the December board meeting. 

What’s ahead?

• Early December 2024 - Bid opening for the middle school construction (security improvements and related renovation) is scheduled for early December.
• January 2025 - Design for the high school stadium and primary school maintenance projects will begin in January.
• Spring 2025 - The final coating will be applied to the new high school tennis courts in the spring once the temperature reaches 50°. The current tennis courts will remain operational until the new courts are finished.
• April 3, 2025 - Save the date for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the high school redesign project on Thursday, April 3 at 4 p.m. on the high school campus (weather permitting)

To learn more about the bond project construction and to view bid tabulations, please visit www.westonka.k12.mn.us/bondprojects. As always, please feel free to reach out to me directly with questions about these or other topics.

Sincerely,