From the Ground Up: North Elementary School addition and Middle School renovation

Owner: Willard Public Schools
General contractor: RE Smith Construction Co.
Architect: Paragon Architecture LLC
Engineers: Toth and Associates Inc., civil and structural; and RTM Engineering Consultants LLC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing
Size: 6,100 square feet
Cost: $2.2 million
Funding source: 2022 voter-approved bond
Estimated completion: March 2025
Project description: Among bond projects that include all school buildings in the Willard Public School District, two are linked with a common design team and timeline: a 1,100-square-foot addition to North Elementary (pictured) and renovations of 5,000 square feet of space at both North Elementary and Willard Middle School. Both buildings were erected in the 1950s, and the projects now underway aim to bring them up to date with more open collaboration areas, as well as administration spaces and restrooms, plus secure entry and reception areas, according to project officials. The Willard Public Schools bond projects website elaborates, noting an additional staff restroom is in the works and counseling services will be expanded in the elementary renovation, and the middle school work will provide enlarged classrooms, relocation of the main office and media center and better utilization of the school courtyard.