- In 2022, Lansing voters approved a $129.7 million bond to go toward the Lansing School District
- With that funding, the Lansing School District plans to build 4 new school buildings, improvements to air quality and comfort, J.W. Sexton High School refresh.
- As of Monday, Willow School is the 2nd new school to be built
- In the attached video, we learned the details of the new school and a timeline for completion
(The following is a transcription of the full broadcast story)
A new day for Willow School began on Monday as officials and friends of the district broke ground on what they say is a dream come true.
It's a full makeover for Willow School...
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"What you're going to see is a new willow, a modern willow, a willow that is special, a willow that is going to be taking our students to the next level of their education," said Superintendent Shuldiner.
School leaders say they're going to a 'campus style' building -- with 2nd graders in their own community, and then one for grades 3 through 5, and another for 6 through 8.
![](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/554a2eb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3244x1776+0+0/resize/1280x701!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F73%2F2f%2F0f8170b7481588b098d4dad50eff%2Fscreenshot-2024-06-03-at-5-45-26-pm.png)
They'll all be connected by walking paths.
"It just gives you the opportunity to create more of a sense of community to foster those students from the time they enter into the school at a younger age," said Steven Lonzo, retired Lansing Schools administrator.
The new building will also include a single point of entry to ensure safety, outdoor learning spaces, and solar strategies for energy efficiency
That mission is part of the Lansing School district's $130 million dollar bond targeting school improvements.
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Willow is the 2nd school of 4 to be rebuilt in the Lansing School District so far and Superintendent Ben Shuldiner says he looks forward to seeing the academic benefits of a more inviting learning space...
"When you're in a brand new building that has central air and bright sunlight coming in and new equipment and better desks all of this means that our kids are going to have a better opportunity at learning," he said.
Officials say the new Willow School building will be complete in August of 2026
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