The majority of the high school (AHS) will undergo renovations in the next three years after voters passed the $55 million bond issue May 6. Renovations are set to begin in October 2025 and finish in August 2027. The high school building is old. The newest renovation is the science hall, which was added in 2011, more than 14 years ago, and the age is showing.
The renovations will completely remake the building, little will remain the same. Students and staff will also see entirely new rooms and resources available in and out of traditional classrooms, including collaborative spaces and multi-purpose rooms.
Student life will change alongside the school changes. The classroom learning environment will change drastically. Both remaining classrooms and those in the new construction will get LED lights, windows and updated HVAC systems.
All of these changes are necessary; the lighting and HVAC systems are notably bad and have needed improvement for a while.
Another major improvement will take place in the courtyard, another space available to students needing a more relaxed environment. The courtyard is an underused space, and this raises concerns about the bond. How well will this and other changes actually be employed by USD 402 personnel?
Major improvements will also take place in the kitchen, hopefully improving the flow of lunch and breakfast lines. The kitchen is not receiving any expansion, however, making this idea less fruitful. The bond will not directly lead to further funding
Extracurricular resources, such as the weight room and wrestling room improvements, will lead to already improving sports within the district. Big changes have been seen in multiple sports this year, mainly in coaching staff, leading to overall culture changes in and around sports. Adding the bond improvements to USD 402 will turn Augusta into a true sports powerhouse.
Many changes are coming; that part is obvious. The changes in how students will act based on these improvements are not as blatant, however. The ability to use study spaces and improved extracurricular resources will, without a doubt, be a benefit to mental health within USD 402.
