School board members tour district facilities

Prior to the group’s Sept. 15 meeting, members of the School District of Rhinelander board of education got an up-close look at the ongoing upgrades underway at Rhinelander High School and James Williams Middle School. Representatives from CD Smith Construction, which is managing the $26 million project, took board members through renovated science and special education classrooms as well as the new auto and construction labs.
When the meeting convened, board president Ron Counter praised everyone involved in the project.
“The high school science rooms are complete and most of the projects in the high school are on time or slightly ahead and should be fully complete by next summer,” he said. “Everyone’s done a nice job on time. They look great. I’d like to thank everybody involved.”
Phase two construction at the middle school is on track for completion by the end of December, with the new fabrication lab, wood and metal shop spaces featuring large viewing windows, the contractors indicated.
According to JWMS Principal Kyle Raleigh, the middle school renovations include significant improvements to student services and special education areas. A new life skills classroom has been created with attached facilities, replacing a cramped space that was previously shared with the staff lounge.

”The old life skills room was about this size, and that was staff and students, IEPs (Individual Education Plans) and all sorts of stuff,” he explained. “Now there’s a designated life skills classroom.”
The new space will connect directly to a special education classroom, allowing students to move seamlessly between academic learning and practical life skills instruction. The area will include laundry facilities and a dedicated restroom.
A sensory room has also been added to help students with autism and other special needs. The room features softer flooring and ceiling mounts for sensory swings.
The middle school’s family and consumer sciences program received an overhaul with a new cooking classroom featuring six modern kitchen stations. The space replaced the former choir room, which had concrete risers that were removed during renovation.
“The microwaves are down a little bit lower so they’re more accessible,” Raleigh noted, addressing feedback that sixth-graders previously struggled to reach the higher-mounted appliances.
Windows were installed in the hallway to allow passersby to observe cooking classes in progress, adding a showcase element to the program.
The new fabrication lab at the middle school will serve as a “middle school version” of the high school’s existing facility, featuring 3D printers positioned on countertops near windows for community visibility.
Art instruction also received improvements with a new classroom featuring eight sinks, allowing multiple students to wash hands simultaneously. A second art room is planned for phase three of construction, with the current space designated for 2D work while the future room will handle 3D projects and ceramics.
High School Technical Education Expansion
At the high school, construction is progressing on new automotive and residential construction laboratories. The automotive program will expand from two vehicle lifts to four, plus an alignment rack, tire balancers and other modern equipment.
“I think it’s going to be the nicest mechanic shop in Rhinelander,” said RHS Principal Shane Dornfeld, noting that the program will also accommodate small engine repair for ATVs, snowmobiles and boats.
The new residential construction lab will be approximately three times larger than the current space and will feature an overhead gantry crane for moving materials. The facility will allow students to construct entire wall sections indoors before assembly at building sites.
Science Laboratory Renovations
The high school science department received extensive upgrades with completely renovated chemistry and biology labs. The rooms feature new casework, moveable tables, updated ventilation systems and modern safety equipment including fume hoods and emergency vacuum systems.
One former classroom was divided to create three special education spaces, while two biology rooms were consolidated into one larger facility. The biology lab now includes an animal room with exterior access for veterinary science instruction.
Timeline and Future Phases
Officials expect to transition teachers into the new automotive and construction spaces around the first of November, ahead of the original timeline. The entire project is scheduled for completion by the start of the 2026-27 school year. The project was approved by voters through a referendum vote in April 2024.