The school board awarded bids at its most recent meeting, paving the way for work to begin for critically needed repairs and renovations.
Progress is officially underway for the highly anticipated renovations and repairs to Saint Peter Middle School, thanks to the $10.965 million bond referendum approved by voters in April.
During the December 2 school board meeting, the final construction bids were awarded to contractors specializing in general construction, fire suppression, mechanical, and electrical work. Winning bids went to the following contractors:
General construction: APX Construction Group
Fire suppression: The Fire Group, Inc.
Mechanical work: Peterson Sheet Metal
Electrical work: BLK Electric, Inc.
The approved updates aim to modernize the facility and ensure it meets the needs of current and future students. Planned improvements include:
Renovating former high school science labs and STEM spaces.
Refurbishing outdated classrooms, hallways, and common areas.
Repairing or replacing 65-year-old windows throughout the building.
Enhancing accessibility features.
Relocating a stairwell to improve traffic flow.
Completing other improvements, such as adding acoustical treatments to Gymnasium B and bathroom updates.
Construction will be carried out in phases, prioritizing projects that minimize disruptions to the school day while addressing the building’s most pressing needs. Chief among these is the replacement of the boiler, chiller, and HVAC system to ensure proper temperature regulation. Recent system failures have caused extreme temperatures in the building during heat waves, significantly impacting the learning environment.
“Students and staff deserve to be comfortable during their school day, no questions asked,” said Dr. Olson. “So making those replacements is our top priority.”
To accommodate the work, the district has adjusted the 2025-2026 academic calendar slightly. The upcoming school year will begin after Labor Day on September 2. This will help ensure ample time to install and calibrate new HVAC components ahead of the changing seasons and new school year. The full updated calendar is available on the district’s website.
The renovations are a significant step forward for Saint Peter Public Schools, ensuring that the middle school building remains a safe, comfortable, and inspiring place for students to learn and grow.
Visit MendTheMiddle.org for additional information about the renovation project.