The Waunakee Community School District board received a detailed short‑term plan for the high school campus and a recommended approach that would temporarily use the existing middle school (referred to in the presentation as the "South Campus") for some high‑school instruction while preserving longer‑term design options.

Dr. Brown (administrator) said the districts short-term aim is to "create an infrastructure where what we do in the short term will ultimately be what can still remain in the long term," and asked the board to focus on scope so consultants can prepare design documents for a November board decision. The proposed short‑term scope includes minimal remodeling to ready classrooms, targeted system upgrades, site‑safety improvements and program relocations.

Scope highlights presented to the board:
- Site circulation: staff and consultants proposed a three‑gate circulation concept on Community Drive designed to keep vehicle traffic separated from students moving between buildings during the school day.
- Building upgrades: bring the existing middle school into parity with other district buildings by adding modern clock/bell and PA systems and creating a new security/attendance office to monitor building entries.
- Classroom moves: identify roughly 13 classrooms on the Second Floor of the South Campus that could house high‑school departments with no or light renovation so teachers have dedicated rooms and students experience less disruptive moves.
- Program-specific items: modest improvements for family and consumer sciences (teaching/demo stations but not full appliance replacement), relocation of the gymnastics program into an existing gym (no work needed), and consideration of completing a press box and concessions at the varsity softball field.
- Scope removal/deferral: administrators recommended deferring larger items that were in the 2022 referendum plan (pool locker rooms, large-group instructional space and some deferred maintenance in the 1970s portion of the high school) until the board decides on a long‑term plan.

Cost and timing: Jay (consultant) and district staff said that if the board gives design direction in November, EUA/Vogel will prepare bid documents for spring 2026 and that some short‑term construction could occur in summer 2026. Administration said the work proposed for summer 2026 would be funded largely from remaining 2022 referendum funds and other district sources unless the board opts to alter timing. The board discussed the possibility of a November 2026 referendum for larger long‑term work but was told it could choose to delay a referendum to a later year.

Board questions and operational points: trustees probed student travel times between campuses, elevator and access locations, cafeteria and "grab‑and‑go" lunch options at South Campus, and how department shuffles in the high school would open rooms for remodeling later. Staff said most classroom moves are minimal and that natural light and classroom readiness were key selection criteria.

Next steps: staff requested board feedback before the Nov. 10 meeting; Jay will provide budget estimates for items the board flags (for example, the team-room/inclement-weather area and press box). Administrators said design direction given in November could be tabled later if the board decides to defer construction pending further decisions (for example, on 4K or levy funding).