Rosendale-Brandon School District held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, to celebrate the start of construction for the Laconia Elementary School renovations and additions. Superintendent Wayne Weber welcomed school staff, parents, the public and students. The event featured a brief program with comments from key individuals, including Heidi Owens, Laconia Elementary School Principal; Dave Mertens, Senior Project Manager at C.D. Smith Construction; Nicholas Kent, Partner at Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA); and Beth Redeker, Board Member for Rosendale-Brandon School District (RBSD). All students in grades 5K through 3rd grade attended the ceremony as they will use the new additions in the fall of 2025. Student Representatives kicked off the symbolic turning of the dirt, followed by Rosendale-Brandon School Board Members, School Administrators, and project team members from PRA and C.D. Smith. The groundbreaking ceremony commemorated the start of construction for 4th and 5th Grade Addition construction at Laconia Elementary School, planned to start after school lets out and go through May of 2025. Phase I renovations of the Elementary School entry will also occur in the summer of 2024. The existing playground will be removed to accommodate construction after the 2023-2024 school year is done, and the new playground will be installed this summer so that it’s ready for the 2024-2024 school year. Phase II renovations are scheduled for the summer of 2025 and building-wide maintenance and air conditioning installation are also a part of Phase II. Increasing space at Laconia Elementary School to accommodate all elementary students is part of the Rosendale-Brandon School District capital referendum for facility improvements that district voters passed in the April 2023 election. The expansion will ensure elementary students have adequate, modern and functional places to learn, grow and play. Superintendent Wayne Weber and Principal Heidi Owens expressed gratitude to the greater community for their support in recognizing the importance of providing students with the modern learning spaces and resources they need to create an even brighter future for the District and its graduates.
