After the community approved the capital referendum projects in August 2024, there has been plenty of work going on behind the scenes to make this project become a reality. District leadership and elementary school staff had several meetings throughout the design process with the architectural, engineering, and design team (ISG) and the construction manager (Bradbury Stamm). Design has wrapped up and the start of construction has begun.

We are excited to keep the community involved as we continue through the construction process and we thank you for your continued support of Morris Area Schools.

Construction Milestones

Below is a timeline of important milestones throughout construction. Be on the lookout for project images as we move through construction!

Ground Breaking - July 2025

We have officially kicked off the 2024 Facility Bond projects celebrating our ground breaking July 10, 2025. The referendum project includes includes a 22,000 sq. foot elementary school addition, tennis court improvements, and secure entrance upgrades. We are excited to see this project take shape!

July 30, 2025

In conjunction with widening part of the drive at the Elementary entrance, crews had to remove a good length of the drive to install new sanitary sewer and drain tile beneath it. Once those utilities are complete, the road will be put back together and freshly paved.

On the northeast corner, a section of existing storm sewer was within the footprint of the new addition and had to be removed. Until the new piping is installed, water is being pumped daily to keep levels down.

While the recent rain has added a few hurdles, progress continues, and we’re excited to see things taking shape!

August 18, 2025

Fresh paint is going down in the front pick-up and drop-off lane! After being re-tarred recently following the water and sewer work for the addition, the lanes are getting their finishing touches.

August 22, 2025

Concrete footings and foundation walls for the addition are currently being completed. Upcoming work includes backfilling the foundations, constructing masonry bearing walls, and installing structural steel. All this work is in preparation for precast concrete erection, which is scheduled for September.

September 25, 2025

The next big step in construction is underway! On September 24, crews began installing the outer precast wall panels. These massive panels arrive on site by semi-truck and are lifted into place with a crane, creating the building’s exterior walls.

We’ve captured drone footage to give you a unique overhead look at the progress!

DJI_0467.MP4

October 3, 2025

Building Update: Exterior Walls Are Up!

The precast exterior walls are now standing! Starting on September 24, crews installed the large wall panels, delivered by semi-trucks and lifted into place one by one with cranes. Work began at the back of the building and wrapped around toward the front, giving shape to the full structure.

The floor system for the second floor is also part of the precast package (known as precast plank), and installation of the precast plank system is now complete as well.

Exterior Wall Completion

November 25, 2025

Tennis Restroom Building

Work on the Tennis Restroom building is nearing completion for the season. A small number of remaining tasks will be completed in the spring when temperatures allow. Once those final items are finished, the facility will be ready to open for use.

Elementary School Addition

Roof: Installation of the structural roof steel is complete, and roofing work is well underway.

Second Floor: Crews are pouring the concrete topping slab this week. Masonry walls and framed walls are scheduled to begin in early December.

First Floor: In-floor heating installation is underway, with concrete floor pours planned for early December.

December 30, 2025

Construction progress continues to move forward, and the interior is really starting to take shape. Individual classrooms and spaces are now clearly defined, and the building is beginning to feel like a school.

Second Floor:

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) rough-ins are wrapping up, with drywall finishing now underway.

First Floor:

Metal stud framing and CMU walls are being built. Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing rough-ins are beginning.

Additional Progress:

Window installation is also underway, bringing more light into the building.

February 5, 2026

Work continues to move forward with strong progress on both the first and second floors of the building.

Second Floor Updates

Classroom painting has been completed, and installation of the acoustical ceilings is currently underway. Construction teams are also building and finishing restroom ceilings and corridor soffits. Mechanical and electrical finishes inside the classrooms will be a primary focus over the next couple of weeks.

First Floor Updates

Drywall finishing is well underway, with classroom painting scheduled to begin next week. Mechanical and electrical teams are wrapping up overhead rough-ins in preparation for ceiling installation and soffit framing.

In addition, the windows have been installed and are looking great, an exciting visual sign of progress.

February 27, 2026

Second Floor Updates

Finishes are moving along. Painting is nearly complete, cabinet installation is well underway, and bathroom tiling is underway. Terrazzo flooring in the corridors is getting started.

First Floor Updates

Painting is continuing through the individual rooms, and the acoustical ceilings are now going in. Drywall finishes of ceilings and soffits are wrapping up in preparation for paint.

The stairway is coming along. Front signage is up, and the entryway doors and windows are being installed.

April 1, 2026

Second Floor Updates

Several miscellaneous items are wrapping up, including terrazzo floor polishing. Final cleaning of the 2nd floor is scheduled to begin later this week.

First Floor Updates

A number of finishing elements are being installed, including flooring, ceilings, doors, and painting.

The tennis restroom facility is also nearing completion. Once overnight temperatures become consistently warmer, remaining plumbing and final finish work will be completed, allowing the space to open.

April 27, 2026

Work continues to move forward as we near completion of the addition.

Crews are currently focused on sitework, including grading, landscaping, and irrigation.

Inside the building, teams are working through final details and miscellaneous items to complete the project.

May 29, 2026

Construction on the new addition is nearing completion. The remaining work consists primarily of finishing touches and the installation of furniture, including office cabinets, desks, and classroom tables. Much of this furniture is scheduled to arrive in June.

Attention will soon shift to renovations within the existing school building. Work is scheduled to begin on June 8 and will include:

Construction of a new secure entrance and office renovations in the elementary school
Replacement of carpet in the elementary library
Additional carpet updates throughout the elementary school

Another exciting milestone is the progress being made in the north green space. Grass has been planted and is growing quickly. We are hopeful this area will soon become a beautiful, usable outdoor space again.

June 24, 2026

Our new addition continues to make tremendous progress and is already making an impact for students and families.

This summer, more than 120 children are participating in our Summer Care program within the new addition. The space is also being utilized for Explore S'more and a variety of other programs and activities throughout the school.

A major milestone was reached last week with the arrival of most of the furniture, including tables, cabinets, chairs, and other furnishings. The addition of these items has helped the office and Pre-K areas feel much closer to completion, with only a few miscellaneous details remaining.

Work is also continuing upstairs, where new desks, chairs, and classroom furnishings are currently being installed as learning spaces are prepared for students and staff.

June 29, 2026

Work continues to move forward inside the Elementary School as crews make steady progress on several areas of the project.

Framing in the Elementary School office and counseling area is now complete, with mechanical, electrical, and fire suppression rough-in work currently underway.

New doorways and windows are being installed in the masonry corridor walls near the Elementary School office.

Crews are also completing above-ceiling firewall revisions throughout the school.

Carpet replacement in designated areas of the Elementary School is scheduled to begin this week.

August 17, 2026

Thanks to the community’s support of the 2024 capital referendum, the vision for our facility improvements has become a reality!

The new elementary addition and Elementary Office are now complete, creating new and updated spaces for our students and staff, along with a safer and more welcoming entrance for students, families, and visitors. New carpet throughout the elementary school has also given existing classrooms and hallways a fresh, updated look.

On August 17, we celebrated these new spaces with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, followed by tours of the new addition and Elementary Office. It was exciting to welcome community members into the building and share the finished spaces that their support helped make possible. We are grateful to ISG, Bradbury Stamm, district staff, and everyone involved in bringing this project from plans on paper to a finished space for our students.

The referendum projects also included tennis court improvements, further investing in spaces that serve our students and community.

Thank you to our community for your continued support of Morris Area Schools. We are excited to see these new and improved spaces serve our students, staff, families, and community for years to come.

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