Sept. 1, 2023 1:30p
(WGTD)---The first major project to be completed under the 2020 Racine Unified facilities referendum was dedicated Thursday.
The ribbon-cutting event at Julian Thomas Elementary celebrated the completion of a couple dozen improvements made to the school totaling $3.1 million.
Many of the projects dealt with improving the building’s infrastructure. Other highlights included construction of a new STEM lab and maker space and a new, secure main entrance.
Julie Vodicka is a music teacher at Julian Thomas. She says the remodeling project represents a fresh start for everyone. "It's a beautiful place for our community and our kids," she said. "The new office is so much more accessible to our parents so they can get in and out. There's a new music room. They remodelied the whole kindergarten area. It's just spectacular."
The referendum, as approved in 2020, called for closing a number of schools, building new ones and renovating and expanding others. Two of the projects currently underway include building a new Red Apple K-through-8 school and expanding Jerstad-Agerholm to be another K-through-8.
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