SHAWANO, WI- The Shawano School District marked a milestone in its long-term facilities plan last week with a ribbon cutting for its new district office, now located inside Olga Brener Intermediate School.
The January 16 ceremony highlighted not only the opening of the new office space, but also a series of renovations and infrastructure improvements completed across multiple district buildings, including Olga Brener, Shawano Community Middle School, and Hillcrest Primary School.
Superintendent Kurt Krizan said the opening represents the first completed phase of the district’s $51.23 million referendum project approved by voters in November 2024.
“This is the first ribbon cutting we’ve had for any of the work connected to the referendum,” Krizan said. “It’s an important milestone and the beginning of a much larger investment across our district.”
The district office was relocated from Shawano Community High School to free up space for expanded athletic and academic improvements. School Board President Tim Renard said the move allows the district to repurpose existing classrooms rather than adding new construction, a decision aimed at efficiency as enrollment has declined in recent years.
A key feature of the new office is a community room designed to host school board meetings and community gatherings. Renard said the space is a major upgrade from the district’s previous meeting location in the high school library.
“The technology in this room allows us to better stream meetings and accommodate more people, whether they’re attending in person or online,” Renard said.
Krizan said the district office opening represents more than a new workspace for administrators.
“This building is one piece of a much larger story,” he said. “These investments are already improving safety, modernizing learning environments, and creating better spaces for students and staff.”
The district credited Hoffman Planning and Design for guiding the design and planning work on the referendum projects.
Krizan also thanked the Shawano community for its support at the ballot box.
“When voters approved the referendum, they demonstrated trust in this district and belief in our schools,” he said. “We take that responsibility seriously and are committed to using those resources wisely as we move forward.”
Check out a tour of the new District Office
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