Foundations are Poured and Walls are on the Way: 2024 Referendum Updates

Construction and planning for MMSD's voter-approved 2024 facilities referendum continues to move forward, with several major projects advancing through design, site preparation and budgeting phases.

Though construction is running approximately two to three weeks behind original projections, Phase 1 projects at the Sherman Middle School/Malcolm Shabazz City High School and Black Hawk Middle School/Samuel Gompers Elementary School sites remain on track for completion ahead of the 2027–28 school year. 

“Our teams continue to make strong progress across all active referendum sites,” Scott Chehak, senior executive director of building services, said. “Even with some early delays related to weather and permitting, we remain on track to open these new schools in 2027 and are continuing to carefully monitor schedules, budgets and construction progress.”

Sherman Middle and Shabazz High Campus Updates 

Crews have been making strong progress on-site the last 2 weeks, pouring 34 new foundations to support the upcoming structural steel. Work has also begun on waterproofing the foundation walls, an important step in preparing the structure for backfilling and protecting it from moisture long-term.

In the gymnasium area, the area has been brought up to grade, setting the stage for the installation of precast elements. Teams will continue coordinating efforts across the site as they transition into the next phases of structural work.

Recent work:

• Waterproofing retaining walls for mechanical space and gymnasiums
• Poured foundations in cafeteria and classroom wing
• Poured in place deadman for temporary bracing of precast walls of future gymnasium
  • A construction “deadman” is a temporary or permanent anchor—often cast-in-place concrete or movable blocks—that uses soil weight and ground resistance to stabilize structures. 

Next steps:

• Continue geothermal boring
• Installing drain tile around
• Backfill large retaining wall foundations
• Setting architectural/structural precast
• Installing structural steel
• Installing MEP undergrounds

Black Hawk Middle and Gompers Elementary Campus Updates

Crews have been making strong progress on-site the last two weeks, pouring 34 new foundations to support the upcoming structural steel. Work has also begun on waterproofing the foundation walls, an important step in preparing the structure for backfilling and protecting it from moisture long-term.

In the gymnasium area, the area has been brought up to grade, setting the stage for the installation of precast elements. Teams will continue coordinating efforts across the site as they transition into the next phases of structural work.

Recent work:

• Waterproofing retaining walls for mechanical space and gymnasiums
• Poured foundations in cafeteria and classroom wing
• Poured in place deadman for temporary bracing of precast walls of future gymnasium

Next steps:

• Continue geothermal boring
• Installing drain tile around
• Backfill large retaining wall foundations
• Setting architectural/structural precast
• Installing structural steel
• Installing MEP undergrounds

Budgeting and Finance

As of month-end April 2026, Phase 1 referendum-related spending totaled approximately $5.19 million for Sherman Middle School/Malcolm Shabazz City High School and approximately $2.99 million for Black Hawk Middle School/Samuel Gompers Elementary School. 

The district is also preparing for Phase 2 construction, which involves ongoing planning and site layout development for the Akira R. Toki Middle School/Orchard Ridge Elementary School campus, Cherokee Heights Middle School and Ray F. Sennett Middle School. Through April 30, 2026, Phase 2 expenditures totaled $576,893 for Akira R. Toki Middle School/Orchard Ridge Elementary School, $547,271 for Cherokee Heights Middle School and $633,522 for Ray F. Sennett Middle School.

The referendum work is set to modernize aging facilities, improve learning environments and better position schools to serve Madison’s growing and evolving student population for decades to come. Named Dane County Climate Champions earlier this school year, the new buildings are being designed with a focus on sustainability and may incorporate features such as geothermal heating and cooling systems, solar power technology, outdoor learning spaces. and electric vehicle charging stations. The schools have set Energy Use Intensity goals of 25,000 British thermal units per square foot per year (Btu/sf/yr); the average Wisconsin school uses 55,000 Btu/sf/yr.

MMSD continues to evaluate budget contingencies and long-term construction planning as Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) agreements move toward Board of Education consideration in June. The GMP process establishes the full project construction cost while also setting aside owner-controlled and contractor contingency funds to address unforeseen conditions during construction.

“One of our priorities throughout this process has been balancing long-term planning with responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” Chehak said. “We are continuing to identify efficiencies and savings where possible while ensuring these projects deliver the high-quality learning spaces our students, staff and families deserve.”

Phase 2 school community engagement sessions will take place June 3 and 4.