By Ian Folger
Madison Metropolitan School District
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) continues to make significant progress on projects funded by the community-supported 2024 facilities referendum, with planning, design and engagement efforts well underway for the first phase of school improvements.
“We’re really taking a full, holistic approach and…making sure that we’re getting our cost checkpoints as we continue…pushing toward the fall, to what we call detail work,” said Scott Chehak, MMSD’s senior executive director of building services. “It’s meeting all of the targets that we need — on time, on budget for our community, access for our community — and giving our staff and students the opportunities to get a better space.”
Since early 2025, MMSD has focused on reimagining four Phase 1 schools — Sherman Middle and Malcolm Shabazz City High schools, and Samuel Gompers Elementary and Black Hawk Middle schools — to better support student success and well-being and ensure the new buildings foster a sense of belonging among users. MMSD has hosted a number of input sessions and promoted classroom-based activities to engage students, educators, families and community partners in the design process.
Feedback gathered from students emphasizes a clear desire for spaces that feel safe, welcoming and inspiring. Common priorities include natural light, outdoor learning areas, flexible seating, inclusive restrooms, colorful designs and spaces for creativity and self-expression. Staff have echoed these sentiments, adding needs like accessible workrooms, calming spaces, increased storage and collaborative meeting areas.
These insights are being translated into initial schematic designs. More refined drawings, based on feedback, are expected this fall. The project timeline remains on track, with construction set to start early 2026.
Community feedback has extended beyond school walls. District staff went door-to-door in neighborhoods surrounding the Phase 1 schools, to ensure they were notified of public input sessions.
“They really got this engagement piece of knowing we’re not just doing it in a vacuum…this is for the community,” Chehak said. “The community voted, and we need their support. We want to make this a place for the community, not just a school for being a school.”
The referendum work also reflects MMSD’s long-term strategic goals — supporting safety, 4K readiness, CTE expansion and flexible learning. Facilities are being designed for community use through Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR), with considerations for future capacity as the city continues to grow.
As this work advances, MMSD remains committed to transparency, collaboration and centering the voices of students, families and educators in shaping its schools of tomorrow. To follow MMSD’s progress on its referendum projects, visit madison.k12.wi.us/about/2024-referenda.
