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Madison Metropolitan School District

La Follette High School - Referendum 2020

2020 Referenda - future Ready, La Follette graduates with caps and gowns on smiling

Project Updates

April 13, 2021 Update

The MMSD Building Services staff gave an update at the April 12, 2021, Board meeting on the status of the projects funded by the referendum. The full meeting can be found here. (The referendum update begins at 1:22:36) A summary of La Follette's information is below.

“Making the building accessible for students with disabilities is huge. People of color who have disabilities are especially important to consider with this redesign. I'm also thinking about how often time, special ed rooms and classrooms for non-AP/advanced classes are sometimes not the most welcoming places. These are the spaces that are often occupied by students of color. Sometimes they are rooms that many teachers share, so teachers can't personalize or invest in the space. Kids can tell when a room feels blank or run down. Those aren't rooms that kids are excited to spend time in…”
- Student quote, from feedback session

Some potential design shifts for La Follette that have come from your feedback are:

  • Portion of existing spec gym to be used for music spaces
  • Fitness Center relocated to East side of School
  • Decentralization of Special Education from K-wing and integrating more with general classrooms
  • New elevator to make school more accessible

Picture mock-ups

mock up of front entrance of school building

Drawing of possible front entrance with welcome center

 

blueprints with pictures of science lab and entrance


This blueprint shows some new spaces that would be redesigned.

January 28, 2021 Update

A team of architects are working with our MMSD Building Services staff to hold input and feedback sessions with students, families, staff and community members to determine next steps.

This year is a planning year, and we want to make sure your voices and ideas are included throughout the process.

We held a virtual feedback session on January 13 to give an overview of what the architects are planning and collect your thoughts and ideas. If you missed it, feel free to watch the video and submit your feedback using the green button above.

We're seeing some emerging themes in our meetings with staff, students and families. La Follette High School should:

  • be welcoming and inviting
  • make students feel safe
  • have a sense of community, ownership and school pride
  • celebrate diversity and be inclusive
  • be accessible to all students
  • be a resource for the community

Construction and renovations are tentatively scheduled to begin in Summer 2022, while buildings are unoccupied.

Construction timeline

Site Design Completion Date Bid Date Construction Begins Construction Complete
La Follette 11/03/21 12/28/22 05/15/22 08/30/24
East 12/20/21 02/08/22 05/15/22 08/30/24
West 12/07/21 01/26/22 05/15/22 08/30/24
Memorial 01/12/22 02/28/22 05/15/22 08/30/24
Capital High 08/25/21 05/02/22 07/22/22 06/15/23
Southside Elementary School 02/21/22 03/21/22 06/30/22 08/04/23

Updated timeline for all schools

decorative leaf

Sustainability Projects

As part of our commitment to sustainable and healthy high schools, environmentally responsible improvements are integrated into many aspects of the referenda. Plans call for the expansion of current efforts, while also introducing new ones, aligned with the school board’s Renewable Energy Resolution.

Components of the current recommendation include LED lighting and natural light, where possible, with an energy-efficient design, 250 kW PV (Photovoltaic) Array, new and efficient mechanical systems and integrated learning opportunities. Additional scope considerations include expanding PV capacity.

With student and staff wellness guiding our decision making, we’re planning for increased opportunities for outdoor learning and the expansion of current sustainable food practices.