Aug. 30, 2024 1:10p
(WGTD)---The first two Racine Unified schools to be modernized and expanded under the district’s 2020 facilities referendum were dedicated Thursday.
In the first ceremony, several hundred parents, students and community members gathered outside in front of Jerstad-Agerholm K-8. Officials described the school as looking practically brand new.
The $45 million project includes safety and security updates, a new elementary gym, classroom renovations and infrastructure, building maintenance and site improvements.
3rd grade teacher Jodi Zarling is in her ninth year at the school. She told WGTD’s David Cole that her new classroom is a dramatic improvement over the old one. "It's an amazing space," she said. "I feel when you come to school when it's bright, open and more welcoming you're more inspired to learn."
Danica Hale has a 4th grader at the school, and as a child she attended Jerstad herself. "It needed a major update," she said. "It's really nice to see. It's completely different."
Jerstad was originally built in 1952, and has undergone four additions, including this year’s.
The second school to celebrate completion of a multi-million dollar modernization and expansion project was Starbuck IB K-8.
Other projects remain in the pipeline in the district.
The 2020 referendum combined downsizing and modernization of the district as a whole. It passed by just five votes.
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