Ground breaking

Community members celebrate start of school renovation project

RANDOLPH — After years of planning, discussion and revision, shovels finally hit the dirt Tuesday as Randolph Public Schools officially broke ground on a major facilities improvement project.

The ceremony, held in the elementary school courtyard, marked the start of construction on upgrades funded by the $8.75 million bond issue approved by voters last year. The site of the event also highlights one of the project’s most visible components — a new serving kitchen for the elementary.

Superintendent Daryl Schrunk said the moment represents the culmination of a process that dates back several years.

“This process has been going on for quite some time,” Schrunk said. “Back in 2019, the Randolph School Board was looking at replacing the vo-ag building, then COVID hit and prices doubled, so it was put on hold.”

Schrunk credited the persistence of school board members and community leaders for bringing the project to fruition.

“This groundbreaking is a direct result of our community stepping up and saying yes to our kids,” he said. “Every improvement we’re about to build has been a long time coming, and we’re grateful for the trust voters placed in us to get it done right.”

He added that district officials are mindful of the investment made by local taxpayers.

“We do not take lightly what it means for residents to invest in our schools,” Schrunk said. “Passing this bond is a powerful statement that this community believes in the future of Randolph’s kids — and we are going to honor that support by making every dollar count.”

While construction is now underway, the project itself has gone through multiple revisions to balance needs with cost.

“We went back to the drawing table several times,” Schrunk said in earlier discussions. “In the end, we believe this project meets the needs of our students and community while staying financially responsible.”

At the center of the work is the new elementary kitchen addition, designed to serve as a modern warming and serving space to replace outdated facilities and improve efficiency.

Other upgrades included in the bond package are HVAC system improvements, electrical and lighting updates, enhanced building security, renovated restrooms and updated classroom spaces.

The district also applied approximately $1 million from its special building fund reserves to reduce the total bond amount.

Voters approved the measure by a 429-291 margin, signaling strong support for the project as a longterm investment in both education and the community.

“This is a great opportunity for the future of Randolph Public Schools,” Schrunk said following the vote.

“We have a lot of work to still do, but I’m excited to be leading the next steps.”

As construction begins, district officials said financial planning will remain a priority. The bond structure includes flexibility, such as the option to refinance if interest rates improve.