MILWAUKEE (September 1, 2022) – Reagan High School is slated to begin work on expansions and improvements and will welcome media to a ground breaking ceremony on Wednesday, September 7, at 12:30 p.m. Milwaukee Public Schools will host a media event to unveil the upcoming projects to neighbors and the community.
Slated improvements are divided into three phases. Through the support of generous donors, Phase I funding has been secured and the school is moving forward with securing funds for Phases II and III.
Phase I
Funded by MPS ESSER funds, MPS Recreation, school fundraising, and private philanthropy
Science wing addition with STEM labs
Gymnasium addition including hardwood floor, bleachers, audio system, and more
New team locker rooms
Large lobby, concessions stand, and bathrooms
Six tennis courts
Phase II
Fundraising underway through private philanthropy
Fitness center addition
Construction of soccer field and two additional tennis courts
Storage space, parking lot, and storm water management
Phase III
Fundraising underway through private philanthropy
Construction of field house with turf athletic field
Reagan students, families, and staff are excited to see these projects get underway. “The new science wing will inspire more students to pursue STEM careers by allowing us to prepare them for university-level work,” said Joshua Putnam, Reagan’s science department chair. “High-quality facilities serving dedicated students is a formula for absolute success!”
New athletic facilities will provide dedicated spaces for athletes to train and compete. The wrestling team currently practices in the cafeteria, cheerleaders practice in a hallway, and the campus has no track available for training track and field athletes. “This expansion will allow our student athletes to train and compete year-round on campus, a luxury other schools take for granted,” said Keith Mayer, Reagan’s athletic director. “We’ve always had amazing students doing incredible things here. This expansion will build off that foundation, catapulting our athletes to the next level.”
Cost for the three phases is estimated at approximately $25 million. The district has committed $9 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds and the school has engaged in additional fundraising, having secured approximately $10 million to date. MPS will be making improvements across the district using more than $700 million in ESSER funding allocated in 2020 and 2021.
WHAT: Ground Breaking Ceremony
WHEN: Wednesday, September 7, 2022, 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Ronald Wilson Reagan International Baccalaureate High School, 4965 S. 20th St., Milwaukee, 53221
