PAW PAW, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Paw Paw Public Schools staff and community members gathered together on Tuesday, June 6 to break ground on construction and renovations at the high school, signaling the beginning of four years of work in the district.
In addition to a new early childhood education building, existing facilities are set to receive upgrades to include classroom additions and new modern furniture.
Those upgrades according to officials include additions to the cafeteria and gymnasium at the high school which will allow for more space for both clubs and sporting teams to practice, which will limit the need for students to practice in alternative spaces or stay late to get practice in, as well as allow the school to host more large-scale events.
The main new addition for the district will be the Early Childhood Education Center, which will house new and existing preschool programming for 3- and 4-year-old children in the district and surrounding areas. Once completed, students who attend will develop skills that will prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.
Complimentary childcare will also be offered in addition to the Great Start Readiness and Head Start programs.
The building is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.
Additional projects will include two classroom additions at each elementary building, replacing old furniture with modern flexible furniture, security, safety, and energy efficiency upgrades, replacing aging mechanical equipment, new drainage system for the high school baseball field and renovations to soccer stadium restrooms.
“Throughout the course of the bond campaign, the community has been the driving force behind this process,” said Superintendent Rick Reo. “From the beginning, our theme has been to “Build Together” for the future of the entire community. To know that voters in the District share in our vision gives me great hope for the future of our schools and for the future of the Paw Paw community. Now that we’ve officially broken ground on construction, work on the projects will begin immediately.”
Funds for the projects were generated by a $47.5 million bond, which voters passed in May of 2022.
