Referenda 2024 Update: Community Sessions Bring Voices to the Table

The Madison Metropolitan School District hosted two community information sessions in October to share updates and gather feedback on the first phase of its voter-approved 2024 facilities referendum projects.

The sessions took place at the sites of the initial Phase 1 projects — Samuel Gompers Elementary School/Black Hawk Middle School and Sherman Middle School/Malcolm Shabazz City High School. Community members, families and staff heard directly from the design and construction teams, viewed preliminary site plans and had opportunities to ask questions and share their input.

“These sessions were a chance for Madison residents to hear directly from the planners about each project’s progress,” Senior Executive Director of Building Services Scott Chehak said. “Our goal is to keep families informed and engaged as we continue creating modern, welcoming school environments that reflect the needs and priorities of our community.”

The district’s Phase 1 projects are on track to break ground in late winter or early spring of 2026. Both sites will replace existing facilities with new, flexible learning spaces designed to support student collaboration, community connection and future growth. Take a look at the initial renderings and floor plans of Phase 1 and 2 projects to see what these schools could look like.

Community information sessions for Phase 2 projects — Orchard Ridge Elementary/Akira R. Toki Middle, Cherokee Heights Middle and Ray F. Sennett Middle schools — will take place later this fall.

More information and project updates are available on the MMSD website.