From classrooms and cafeterias to athletic facilities, construction projects are moving forward across the Westonka School District as crews work to complete major improvements before the first day of school on Sept. 8. The Westonka School Board received an update on the progress during its July 13 meeting.
At Westonka High School, work is underway throughout the building, including renovations to classrooms, administrative areas, the cafeteria, gym, arts and technical spaces, and the Little Theatre. The new stadium is also taking shape, with structural work underway, track curbing installed and turf installation in progress. Parking lot resurfacing and storm shelter construction are also continuing.
At the district’s primary schools, deferred maintenance projects are moving forward as well. Both schools are receiving media center enhancements, while Hilltop Elementary is undergoing a boiler replacement, with upcoming work including masonry repairs, new doors and windows, flooring, painting and cabinetry installation. At Shirley Hills Primary School, crews are completing mechanical installations, site work and interior finishes, including renovations to the cafeteria area.
Superintendent Kevin Borg said the projects remain on schedule despite some weather-related delays. He noted that crews are managing a large number of overlapping projects and maintenance activities across the district and thanked the project teams, contractors and district staff for their flexibility, patience and efforts to find alternate ways to provide opportunities for students and the community during construction.
Borg said the official grand opening for the Westonka High School is planned for fall 2027, once all construction is complete. In the meantime, the district plans to hold special events as individual projects are finished, including celebrations for each sport in the new gym and events marking the completion of the new nursing and machining classrooms.
Beyond the construction update, the board also took action on several items, including approving a public hearing during its Aug. 10 meeting to establish student fees for the new Nursing Assistant (NA-R) program in compliance with the Minnesota Public School Fee Law. The hearing will include an overview of the course, the proposed fees and their purpose, followed by an opportunity for public comment.
Under Minnesota law, fees for the Skills Test and Knowledge Test do not require a public hearing because the resulting certification becomes the student’s personal property and the exam is optional for students enrolled in the course. However, fees for required background checks and fingerprinting are not explicitly addressed in the Minnesota Public School Fee Law. Because those fees are required for course participation, a public hearing must be held before students can be charged.
The board also approved dissolving the existing boys swimming and diving cooperative agreement between Westonka Public Schools and Holy Family Catholic High School and replacing it with a new agreement that includes three schools: Westonka, Holy Family and Southwest Christian High School. Under the new agreement, Westonka will remain the host district and will charge Holy Family and Southwest Christian a per-participant fee to help offset the program’s operating costs.
The board also approved an amendment to the district’s general lease agreement with Thaler-Pond Management Company, LLC for the Pond Sports Center and David M. Thaler Sports Center. Borg said the amendment extends the current lease through June 30, 2027, with an option for an additional 12-month extension. The extension will give the district time to evaluate its long-term facility needs as increased use of the David M. Thaler Sports Center is expected following the relocation of the Westonka High School stadium.
Additional action items for the board included approving 2026-28 contracts between the School Board of Independent School District No. 277 and both the Principals’ Association and the Educational Office Employees (EOE), as well as increasing the number of contract days for two administrative assistant positions beginning in fiscal year 2027.