Kraus-Anderson Kicks Off Wisconsin School District Revamps

By Eric Althoff

LADYSMITH, Wis.—Minneapolis-based general contractor Kraus-Anderson is embarking on a $21 million renovation for the School District of Ladysmith. The project entails renovations at the district’s middle and high schools, both imagined by designer Bray Architects.

Among the additions being undertaken are remodeling 22,000 square feet of classrooms and a 10,000-square-foot gym expansion. New construction entails a 3,000-square-foot media center add-on.

In addition, Kraus-Anderson’s Madison offices will be updating the buildings’ systems and security features, as well as bringing the two schools into ADA compliance. The contractor will also be installing a new roof, fashioning new parking lots and redesigning the athletic facilities, including new bleachers for the football stadium and new dugout for the softball field.

John Huenink, Kraus-Anderson’s vice president and director of education construction, said that his firm worked alongside the Ladysmith district in crafting an information campaign to successfully pass a bond in order to help fund the construction projects needed throughout the district.

“In 2021, KA completed an educational adequacy and facility study, along with facilitating a community task force to help build the district’s referendum plan,” said Huenink.

The various renovations are due for completion next summer.

Kraus-Anderson, founded in 1897, has been ranked the 20th largest builder of K-12 facilities in the nation by Building Design and Construction magazine, with $1 million in such work in the last half-decade alone. In addition to its Twin Cities headquarters, the firm operates from Upper Midwest branch offices in Madison, Milwaukee, Duluth, Bismarck and others.