Construction Progress Continues at Owatonna Schools

Progress is advancing at several Owatonna schools, with an indication that most of the work will be done by the time students return to class in the fall.

In their periodic email newsletter, the Owatonna Public School District reports that most of the work on Willow Creek and the junior high will be complete for fall. The junior high, which will become a middle school, will have some construction work continuing when students arrive, but that should present only some minor disruptions. That's according to the latest construction update from the district. Roof projects are about to begin there along with work on the upper level.

The junior high houses seventh- and eighth-graders now, but will add sixth-graders in the fall and become known as Owatonna Middle School.

You can view photos on the school website of the construction progress. Pictures include  overhead shots of Willow Creek, where the roof addition is nearly complete. Willow Creek will become a K-5 elementary in the fall and take the name of McKinley STEM School along with most of the students and staff from the current location.

The building now known as McKinley will become Washington Elementary, with students and staff moving there from the current Washington site.

Summer construction is planned for updates to classroom space and secure entrances at Lincoln and Wilson elementary schools. Ground preparation work will begin in May. Little staffing changes are in store for those schools.