When will the Madison School District build its new schools?
Following the sweeping success of the Madison School District's $507 million referendum Tuesday night, the district now can move ahead with its plans to build eight new schools and renovate two others.
The district has been planning these construction projects for months. With approval from voters now secured, leaders can confirm construction and architectural contracts and begin a new phase of community engagement.
"These spaces will be designed to provide modern and flexible teaching and learning spaces for our students and staff," Superintendent Joe Gothard wrote in an email to students and families. "Buildings will be accessible and inclusive, and updated heating and cooling will provide comfortable learning environments."
Construction starts in 2026
The district hopes to tackle construction at two sites each year between 2026 and 2030.
Construction will start on a building to house Shabazz City High School and Sherman Middle School on Madison's North Side — the only high school to miss out on updates paid for by the district's 2020 capital referendum.
It will take about just more than a year and $108.3 million to build the new 175,000-square-foot building, according to current estimates .
Apart from Shabazz City High School and Sherman Middle School, the district has not committed to a set order for the other building projects. A timeline has been discussed, but district officials have stressed it may change.
The current order of schools is as follows:
Shabazz City High School and Sherman Middle School
Black Hawk Middle School and Gompers Elementary School
Toki Middle School and Orchard Ridge Elementary School
Cherokee Heights Middle School
Sennett Middle School
Anana Elementary School
Crestwood Elementary School
The roughly $327-per-year tax payment connected to the facilities referendum will appear on property tax bills for the first time in December 2025. Those annual payments will continue for the next 23 years, or until roughly 2048.
Contracts approved
The School Board approved contracts with architects and project management firms earlier this fall to kick off the planning process. Those contracts hinged on a successful capital referendum.
The district will pay OPN Architects up to $24.9 million to design the new buildings and renovated schools. OPN has an office located in Madison and other locations scattered around the Midwest.
For project management and owner's representation, the district will pay about $4.5 million to the Concord Group . Concord has offices located throughout the country including in Milwaukee and Chicago.
The School Board will vote on contracts for construction services and abatement in January. For the high school improvements funded by the 2020 referendum, the district contracted with Findorff.
More community engagement planned
Even with clear support for the referendums — about 70% of voters said "yes" to both questions on Tuesday — the district has made it clear it will gather more input from the community before breaking ground on any building sites.
School Board President Nichelle Nichols previously told the Wisconsin State Journal the board will consider and vote on individual building plans for every school. Those plans will take into account specific feedback from families, staff and students.
No clear timeline for those conversations has been established at this point.
