ANTIGO — Following the successful facilities referendum approved by Antigo voters this past November, the Antigo School District is moving forward with plans to construct a new elementary school. Superintendent Glenda Oginski indicated last week during discussions with the district’s architectural firm, Blue Design Group, the emphasis is now on finalizing floor plans for the new building.
Meanwhile, the educational needs of another area are being addressed, as the district's board of education approved the purchase of 12 acres of land located along Michie Lane, south of the current Midway Elementary School. This land was sold to the district by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for $4,740,000 at the meeting held on December 17. Superintendent Paul Sweat highlighted the pressing need for additional educational facilities: “It’s definitely overcrowded,” he stated, referring to the situation at Midway Elementary.
With students currently placed in eight portables around the main building, the necessity for new construction is evident. “We know it cannot be a long-term plan for elementary children in Midway,” Sweat noted, indicating broader concerns over the limitations posed by existing infrastructure.
Despite this urgent need for new facilities, Sweat urged caution, advising the board not to interpret the land purchase as the immediate onset of construction. Potentially addressing community worries, he remarked, “I’m proposing for the board tonight to take some steps to shore up the future in Midway and purchase this piece of property to allow us to build when the time is right.”
Board member Tom Hansen echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the long-term benefits tied to the new property acquisition. He reflected on the disappointment following the failed bond proposal back in 2019, which sought $150 million for both new elementary facilities and the county’s second high school. The unsuccessful bond initiative left many anxious over the future of Midway’s educational infrastructure. “Today, [the land purchase] puts to rest: There will be a new elementary school,” Hansen confidently stated, following the optimistic purchase decision.
Considering the previous setbacks, the district opted for lease revenue bonds — which do not require voter approval — to fund their projects. Last year, the school board greenlit $150 million worth of these bonds aimed at bringing to fruition the Iron Horse High School, which is currently under construction west of Heber. The high school, with an expected opening set for the 2026-27 school year, reflects the district's commitment to addressing educational demands through innovative financing strategies.
These developments are not only about immediate needs but also about providing sustainable educational environments for the community's children. The new projects proposed by both Antigo and the Midway area represent proactive steps toward tackling current overcrowded conditions and ensuring future generations have adequate learning spaces. How the districts will balance these developments with their financial strategies will be watched closely by stakeholders involved.
